REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SAMPIT -- Repairs of the Bajarum Bridge in Kotawaringng Timur, Central Kalimantan, badly damaged after being hit by a barge is expected to take a year.
"It would need total reconstruction as the damage is not as moderate as it looks that we must not take risk," Kotawaringin Timur District Supian Hadi said here on Sunday.
The bridge was heavily damaged by iron ore loaded barge sailing in the Mentaya river on Saturday that it has been totally closed.
The district administration has coordinated with the Central Kalimantan provincial Public Works service to report the condition to the Public Works Ministry hoping that immediate steps are taken to rebuilt the vital bridge.
The bridge is vital as part of the Southern Trans Kalimantan highway providing links between five regencies in the western part of Central Kalimantan including Kotawaringin Timur, Seruyan, Kotawaringin Barat, Lamandau and Sukamara.
In condition of emergency, the district administration has made available ferry transport for motorcycles and people to cross the river.
Meanwhile the district administration has also asked the government for larger ferry boats to be able to cross four wheeled vehicles.
"We have submitted request to the Transport Ministry via the governor for facility to transport cars and heavy equipment needed by mining companies across the river," Supian Hadi said.
Currently cars could still cross the river but they have to make a long detour through the route of Sampit-Telawang-Kuala Kuayan-Parenggean-Pelantaran, for which they will spend three to four hours longer.
Supian has also told the district public works service to ask for support from the private sector to accelerate reconstruction of the bridge.
He said he would consider banning transport of mining production via the river after a number of incidents that barges loaded with mineral ores have hit bridges and houses in river banks in that areas.
"We would study that possibility and solution to the resulting problem," he said.
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