JELEBU: Villagers at Kampung Bemban near here who had been stranded after a bridge linking their village to other areas was swept away in recent floods can now breathe easy as a Bailey bridge has been built in its place.

       The construction of the 18m-long bridge built under the Compact Bailey Single Lane (CB 200) design was completed on Jan 19.

       Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division Maj Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim said the construction of the bridge across Sg Teriang was completed a day ahead of schedule.

       "Villagers can now get across to Kampung Jerang like they used to do previously.

       "We are always prepared to assist any government agency or related agencies nationwide in such efforts which are part of our military-operation-other-than-war or MOOTW initiative," he said, adding that the project was a joint effort with the Third Division Royal Engineers Army Regiment and the Public Works Department.

       The new bridge is about 4.3m wide.

       Prior to its construction, the villagers were ferried across the river in boats belonging to the army.

       Even students had no other option but to take the boat ride as there was no other route to get to their schools.