Sultan Yusuf Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Sungai Perak Bridge
Official Name:Sultan Yusuf Bridge
Native Name:Jambatan Sultan Yusuf
Locale:Part of West Coast Expressway
(formerly Federal Route 5 Jalan Teluk Intan-Lumut, Batak Rabit)
Carries:Motor vehicles
Crosses:Perak River
Mainspan:--
Length:1,300 m
Width:--
Open:17 November 1988[1]
Maint:Konsortium Lebuhraya Pantai Barat
Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Hilir Perak
Belati Wangsa Sdn Bhd
Design:box girder
Lanes:Double carriageway with 2 lanes each
Designer:Government of Malaysia
Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR)
Builder:Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR)
Country:MYS
Part of West Coast Expressway and Federal Route 5
Alternate Name:Sultan Yusuf Bridge
Maint:Konsortium Lebuhraya Pantai Barat
Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Hilir Perak
Belati Wangsa Sdn Bhd

The Sultan Yusuf Bridge (Malay: Jambatan Sultan Yusuf) is the main bridge in Hilir Perak District, Perak, Malaysia. It is located on West Coast Expressway and Federal Route 5 crossing Perak River between Batak Rabit and Kota Setia. It is the third longest river bridge in Malaysia and was named after the 32nd Sultan of Perak, Almarhum Sultan Yusuf Izzuddin Shah Ghafarulahu-Lah.

History

See main article: article.

Early Construction

The Sultan Yusuf Bridge was one of the components of the missing link of the Federal Route 5 from Teluk Intan to Sitiawan, which was constructed as one of the infrastructure project under the Fifth Malaysia Plan. Before the bridge was built, villagers from the opposite of the Perak River Kampung such as Telok Selandang and Kampung Lekir had to use a river ferry service operated by a nearby oil palm estate.[2] Construction of the Sultan Yusuf Bridge began in April 1986 with the total cost of RM27 million for the entire road project.[3] The bridge was completed in 1988 and was opened to motorists on 17 November 1988, resulting in the full completion of the FT5 highway.

Expanding Bridge

In 2011, the West Coast Expressway was initiated with some of the expressway route taking over some of Federal Route 5, including this bridge. The bridge was expanded to a dual carriageway road with 2 lanes going each direction (total 4 lanes) to cater the expanding traffic. The new carriageway was constructed with the same design.

Features

Batak Rabit Restaurant and Rest Plaza

Near the bridge is the Batak Rabit Restaurant and Rest Plaza . It was opened in 1990. Facilities are available here such as parking area, toilets, food courts, surau and playground. As of now, it is only accessible from Federal Route 5 and 58 towards Ipoh and Lumut due to the West Coast Expressway.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New bridge to open tomorrow . . 1988-11-16 . . 2015-11-16 .
  2. Web site: Bridge of mixed blessings . Lee Ah Chai . 1988-12-15 . . 2015-11-16 .
  3. Web site: Dewan Rakyat - Parlimen Keenam, Penggal Keempat . . 1986-03-25 . . 2015-11-16 .