At least 2 workers injured as bridge beams collapse

JAKARTA (JP): At least two construction workers were injured yesterday when four concrete beams collapsed at the Tarum Barat bridge in Kalimalang, East Jakarta.

The bridge's project officer, Siti Musyarofah, refused to explain the cause of the mishap but said that it was just an accident.

"I can't explain further because it's still under investigation," she said. "However, I don't think that it happened because of the poor condition of the concrete beams."

About 9:45 a.m. yesterday, one of the nine beams supporting one lane of the bridge dislodged and struck three other beams.

The concrete beams were 20 meters long and weighed about 42 tons, she said.

"They cost about Rp 20 million (US$6,666) each," she added.

Siti identified the two injured workers as Yayat and Maryani.

"They were walking on one of the beams when the accident happened."

Siti said the company would cover medical expenses for the workers, who suffered bone fractures. Both men were being treated at Mitra Bekasi Hospital.

However, a man, who identified himself as Nasroni, claimed he was also injured in the accident and treated at the same hospital.

Nasroni told the SCTV crews that he was under the bridge when the beams fell.

"I heard a cracking sound above me. It sounded like wood splitting. I didn't have any time to jump out of the way as the concrete beam fell so quickly," he said.

According to Siti, the beams were installed three weeks ago.

The Tarum Barat bridge, being developed by PT Yala, PT Hutama Karya and PT Citra Bhakti Margatama Persada, is part of the East Outer Ringroad linking the Cikunir, Cilincing and Tanjung Priok toll roads.

Siti said that the bridge's lane and beams were constructed by Hutama Karya.

"The company will soon replace the broken beams with the new ones," she said.

The technical and operational director of PT Citra Bhakti Margatama Persada, Djoko Legowo, said the company will have experts from the Ministry of Public Works investigate the cause of the accident.

"We will get the experts to come down here and check on the construction site by Monday," he said.

He hoped the experts would be able to explain how the beams broke. (cst)