Roadworks blasting wreaks havoc

Govt warns Air Itam bypass developer over property damage

THE project developer of the Air Itam bypass has been warned not to allow a repeat of the blasting incident that damaged two apartments at Island Park, Penang.

Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng said the developer should be properly investigated on the matter.

“The company must be held responsible,” she said.

Tan said she had instructed her team to assess the extent of the damage.

“I have also instructed the company responsible to cooperate with affected residents,” she said after visiting the affected sites and promised to monitor and follow up with the developers over the incidents.

In the 11.10am incident on Wednesday, blasting from the project caused nearby condominiums to be damaged by flying debris.

The two properties affected were Jay Series Condominium and King Fisher Series Condominium.

Jay Series management committee manager Law Poh Cheok said flying debris from the blasting works caused damage to rooftops as well as the condominium’s swimming pool and barbecue areas.

“Debris flew 300m to 400m, into our compound,” he said.

Law, a resident, said several cars were also damaged.

He said no one was injured, as many residents were at work and children were in school.

He added that a discussion was held between the condominium’s management committee and the construction company.

“The company has admitted fault and taken responsibility for the incident,” said Law.

There are 346 units at Jay Series and about 400 at King Fisher.

On Thursday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, “We apologise to the residents for the damage caused.

“The contractor will bear full responsibility for the incident.”

Since work on the bypass started in January 2022, a total of 600 rock blasts had been undertaken during that time “without an issue”, said Chow.

“Something like this should not happen, even once.

“Steps are being taken by the project director to ensure it does not occur again.

“One time is bad enough, and I want the project director and contractor to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future.

“There are another 200 scheduled blasts to come before the project is completed,” he added.

Penang Infrastructure Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said the controlled blasting works were conducted according to standard procedure.

“The blasting to break down boulders along the project site started in January 2022.

“The contractor will be reducing the drilling depth and the weight of the explosives to reduce the projection of the explosives.

“The layers of ground cover, wire mesh, geotextile and sandbags will be increased to cover a larger area,” he said.

Construction of the Package Two bypass connecting Air Itam to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway was at 42% completion as at January this year.

Most of the civil works for Package Two’s 5.7km-alignment had progressed well, said Farizan.

The RM851.04mil bypass is projected to reduce the current 40-minute drive between Bandar Baru Air Itam and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to less than 10 minutes.

Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd is the design and build contractor, while Penang Infrastructure Corporation is the implementing agency for the project.

Package Two comprises three interchanges: Interchange One (at Lebuhraya Thean Teik), Interchange Two (Jalan Bukit Gambir-Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah) and Interchange Three (Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway).

Other project scopes include upgrading and improving the drainage system, upgrading existing roads involved in the project area, and utility relocation work.

The project is scheduled for completion next year.