During his visit to inspect the aftermath of the cold lava flood here on Monday, the minister spoke of expecting the reconstruction to be complete within four months.
"The bridge frames are now being mobilized here (to Lumajang), and the bridge will be simultaneously reconstructed on its two sides from the direction of Lumajang and Malang. Hence, we hope the completion will be swift," Hadimuljono remarked.
The minister noted that the reconstruction of damaged infrastructures would be conducted through collaboration among the central government, East Java Province, and Lumajang district authorities.
He explained that five bridges in the district require reconstruction works, and the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has coordinated the works and its budget with the provincial and district authorities.
The Lumajang district authority will be responsible for two bridges, for which funding will be provided by BNPB, and the East Java provincial authority will conduct the works on two other bridges.
Meanwhile, the ministry will be responsible for reconstructing the Glidik II Bridge, for it is a national road, and funding will be disbursed directly from the state budget.
Hadimuljono said the Glidik II Bridge would be developed with a better and stronger foundation to ensure that it can withstand Mount Semeru's cold lava flood in future.
"Why did the bridge collapse last week? Maybe it is because the foundation is not deep enough. The ministry's Directorate General of Road Construction has evaluated for stronger construction," he stated.
Meanwhile, head of the National Road Implementation Office (BBPJN) for East Java and Bali, Rakhman Taufik, stated that Glidik II Bridge will be reconstructed at the existing location and would be longer than the previous bridge span of 38 meters.
"The new 45-meter permanent bridge construction process will take place for four months. The existing traffic and logistics will be redirected northward through Pasuruan and Probolinggo regions," Taufik remarked.
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Translator: Zumrotun Solichah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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