VIDEO | 52 secs

An overhead flyover near Selangor Science Park, Cyberjaya, heading towards Aman Putra has collapsed this afternoon.

Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) general manager Othman Omar confirmed that the structure collapsed at 12.30pm and there were no casualties.

According to him, the project commenced in 2007 and was completed in 2009, following which it was handed over to PLUS and Malaysia Highway Authority.

NONE "It was financed by four developers and coordinated by the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN)," he said.

The four developers are PKNS, Unduh Aspirasi, Taraf Unggul and Semai Ria.

The flyover was opened for use in 2009 but has been closed since December 2012 after the management detected that the pillars had shown some "movements".

"There is some works carried by PLUS under the flyover," said Othman, who added that he does not wish to blame anyone for the incident.

He said PKNS will set up a technical committee to identify the root cause of the incident.

"A third party consultant will also be appointed to find the cause and monitor the situation," he said, while expressing PKNS's  commitment to resolve the problem.

According to China Press , the bridge was built near the river banks where the soil is loose. The authorities had upgraded its foundation few months ago.

Minister ordered closure

In a press release late this evening, Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor said he had previously decided to close off the bridge which was open to motorists in March 2012 and the route below it due to safety factors.

   

While saying the bridge was built by PKNS, Shaziman emphasised: "To me, the safety of users cannot be compromised and should be given priority."

NONE He said he visited the bridge on Dec 7 last year after he was informed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) of movement at one of the pillars of the bridge at the Science Park 2 Interchange, which was a route to Putrajaya and Cyberjaya.

"I was briefed on its condition and decided to close off the bridge and the underpass because of safety reasons," he said.

Following its closure to traffic starting Dec 7, 2012, a detour was created at KM P2.4 at the interchange between the Putrajaya Toll Plaza and Putrajaya/Cyberjaya Toll Plaza at Lingkaran Putrajaya to allow inspection work to be done.

Shaziman said he also signed a gazette on the road's closure until Dec 31, 2013, which is subject to the actual completion date of repair work on the bridge.

"Following the incident today, necessary action has been taken by the relevant parties," he clarified.

Meanwhile, PLUS Malaysia Berhad said the bridge had never been handed over to the company for maintenance.

"The bridge was built by PKNS and is still under the responsibility of PKNS until now," it said in a statement.

PHOTO GALLERY

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