JELEBU: A total of RM1.4bil has been allocated for repairing critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges and slopes at 987 locations affected by recent floods, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

       This involves slope failure at 449 locations, floods (443), flash floods (62), collapsed roads (23), sinkholes (five) and damaged or collapsed bridges (five).

       Clean-up work has been completed at 928 locations where at least one lane has been reopened to traffic as of yesterday.

       “The date of completion depends on the damage. Our focus is critical roads as we want to ensure that cut-off roads can be reopened. It may take a longer time to restore the damaged bridges and slopes.

       “We started repairs right after the floods receded. Some roads will be completed this month, but others may take at least six months.

       “Insya-Allah, we will complete our task this year,” he told reporters here today after inspecting the Kampung Bemban bridge that was affected by the floods.

       According to Bernama, infrastructure repair involves several agencies, state governments and ministries, including the Rural Development Ministry.

       For Negri Sembilan, Fadillah said 67 of the 75 affected locations involving roads, bridges and slopes were cleaned up at a cost of RM72.9mil, with repair works expected to be completed by June.

       “Ongoing work to erect an 18m-long Bailey Bridge across Sungai Bemban is expected to be completed by Jan 21.

       “Once the bridge is in place, we hope the only road link to this village will be restored,” he added.

       Fadillah said RM1mil had been allocated for clearing away the landslide debris at Jalan Jeram Toi and repairing the damaged road and sewerage system, with repairs expected to be completed in May.