By R.S. Kamini  

KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia): Part of the Middle Ring Road 2 in Kepong will be closed for repairs for three weeks after chunks of concrete fell from one of its pillars yesterday.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed had ordered that two of the six lanes, on the extreme left of the flyover, be closed until its team of consultants had studied the damage.

Police closed the 1.7km elevated stretch connecting Taman Kepong Indah and the Damansara-Puchong interchange at 10.30am after the Public Works Department received a complaint.

The closure caused a massive three-kilometre traffic jam, from the Sungai Buloh interchange to the area where the cracks were visible at Pillar 28. There are 33 pillars in total.

PWD officers despatched to the site found that three of the 18 carbon fibre reinforced plastic straps on Pillar 28 had collapsed.

Mohd Zin said although initial reports showed that the structure was safe, part of the highway would remain closed until officials were completely sure.

"We will not compromise on the safety of motorists although my officers have reported that the structure is safe."

Mohd Zin, who visited the site yesterday, said the department's engineering forensic experts would investigate how the carbon fibre reinforced straps gave way.

"If the cracks were due to shoddy workmanship and traced back to the contractor or supplier of materials, stern action would be taken against them," he said, adding the cost of repairs would be borne by the contractors.

He, however, said it was still too early to determine the entire cost of the repairs.

The PWD, he said, would reinspect all the pillars once repairs on Pillar 28 had been completed, before reopening both lanes to motorists.