GEORGE TOWN: Maintenance of Penang’s Jambatan Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, better known as the Second Bridge, involves significant challenges and high risks, but is crucial for the bridge’s durability, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).

He said while the 24km bridge was designed with a lifespan of up to 120 years, continuous and meticulous maintenance is essential to ensure its long-term resilience.

“Many see this bridge as a stunning stretch across the sea, but behind the scenes, teams of engineers and divers work tirelessly to keep the structure safe.

“For instance, protective coating on the steel fenders is vital. These act as ‘shields’ to protect the bridge piers from ship collisions and absorb impact energy,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday, Bernama reported.

He added that maintenance tasks include replacing corroded steel plates, mechanically removing rust and reapplying several layers of special protective coating.