(Kepong, Sunday): DAP Kepong urges the Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) to waterproof the Kepong overhead bridge (Middle Ring Road, MRR2) immediately. JKR must leave no stone unturned by summoning all resources to do it.

We have repeatedly called on JKR to take action on the RM 238 million bridge. It has known that cracks have appeared on 31 of the 32 crossbeams since 2000. After the British consultant, Halcrow Group gave a report in January, 2005, why has it not taken action?

Halcrow has found a rare phenomenon--the expansion of a chemical compound, ettringite, to cause serious cracks. The compound contains calcium, aluminium, oxygen, sulphate, water and so forth. On 25 February, 2005, Halcrow recommended to JKR to waterproof the bridge immediately, so that the delayed ettringite formation (DEF) would not result in further cracks.

Kepong bridge and Malaysia have made history, because DEF has not been reported in road building in the world. According to Halcrow that has sought the service of Glascow University, ettringite is found in cement. Usually, it does no harm. But, under rare conditions such as during concrete hardening, temperature reaching over 70 degree Centigrade in the presence of sulphate and plenty of water, ettringite is formed, expanding dangerously.

If all the cracks are not waterproofed, more water seeps into them, aggravating the situation. JKR must stop the water.

Unfortunately, JKR seems to be at a loss. True, it appointed Halcrow on 12 August, 2004 to study the cracks. The consultant discovered the DEF.

Since 1999, when the MRR2 project started, over eight consultants from overseas have been appointed for the design of the project and investigation of the cracks.

On 26 April, 2005, Halcrow again recommended to JKR to waterproof the cracks. But, JKR remains unmoved. Is it becuase the main contractor, Bumihiway has not cooperated? Or, is JKR looking for another contractor? Can it not go ahead with the waterproofing, and then charge the contractor for the expenses?