Local PSM secretary B Suresh said the condition of the bridge had begun to deteriorate after the traffic flow on the main road was changed from two-way to one-way.

“Previously, not many vehicles used the road the bridge is on. It was a smaller road that branched out of the main road and only those living in the area would use the bridge,” he told FMT.

“After the one-way street implementation, the road has suddenly become the main road and all vehicles, including heavy vehicles, are using that small bridge.”

He said the bridge was never built to handle the current volume of traffic.

The Cameron Highlands Works Department implemented the one-way road system in 2008 to address traffic woes, but the move drew protest from residents. The department then decided to only implement the one-way road system during holidays.

However, in March this year, the one-way street was enforced yet again.

Earlier today, PSM reported the problem to the Works Department, District Office, and the Cameron Highlands police chief.

“We want the authorities to explain what is causing the damage to the bridge and whether it has anything to do with the one-way road implementation.

“We also want the authorities to explain whether they took the condition of the bridge into account before they decided to enforce the one-way road system.”