Bajarum Bridge in C. Kalimantan temporarily closed

Local authority temporarily shut down on Saturday the Bajarum Bridge in Kota Besi town, Sampit, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, after its support poles were hit by a barge.

The incident caused a serious crack in the 32-year old bridge, reports said on Monday. The barge was carrying iron ores belonging to a company called PT Feron Tambang Kalimantan.

Head of the regency?s transportation office Rustam Fuadi was quoted as saying that the bridge has to be closed down because it is no longer safe to use it.

In the meantime, the government will provide ferry to transport people and vehicles, he said, adding that motorists could also take alternative routes via plantation roads.

Rustam said that it would likely take about a year to rebuild the bridge. The reconstruction work will apparently disrupt the transportation of output of miners in the region as barges would not be able to pass through. (*)