This is the REAL first/ last mile connectivity.
Modest little bridges like this, crossing longkangs and rivers -- they are beautiful. They provide essential connectivity. They will work hard for you over their lives, with just a little maintenance.
They will make your area more liveable, your people healthier, your streets quieter and less congested.
This particular example is locally known as Amway Bridge, and it crosses the Penchala River in Petaling Jaya's Section 51A, nearby Asia Jaya LRT Station.
There's nothing like a bridge to get you safely across the water.
But there's a problem. As of April 2025, this bridge has gone. There is no notice board, no sign for an alternative route. It's just simply gone and there's no way to cross the river around here anymore.
Maybe it's only temporary and it will be put back in the future. So in the meantime a temporary crossing should be provided. This should be well within the skillset of the developer/ contractor. They should also put up signs to explain the closure.
Instead of increasing accessibility for walking, it is being made more difficult, encouraging people to use their cars everywhere they go.
The benefit of pedestrian 'shortcuts' should not be underestimated. If someone is given a direct, convenient walking route, they will be tempted to take it. Maybe they can skip the jam? Or perhaps they don't have a car and a nice convenient pedestrian route just makes their trip to work so much better.
Digging deeper
Looking into this particular case, it appears that there is a large high-rise development nearby (The Atera). This development will straddle the Penchala River. Plans even show a future footbridge within the development (but when? and who will be allowed to use it?).
Looking at the local draft Special Area Plan (available here) it looks like there will even be a road crossing the river here in the future, to the south of the development. A road that will cover over the Penchala River and route over the top of a storm drain.
So let's just get this straight.
1. Pedestrian connectivity is being taken away.
2. During construction, there is no provision for pedestrians.
3. A large condo is being developed next to the river.
4. The river is being paved over for ... you guessed it ... MORE CARS.
It seems that this has raised concerns with local residents - see this 2018 newspaper article in The Star. Residents correctly identify that if a road is opened up for cars along that alignment, it will attract more cars. This is induced demand. It's funny how people suddenly understand induced demand when it might affect their local area.
Sadly, this is not just an isolated case. For all the talk of walkability, sustainability and better urban planning, we are still getting car-centric infrastructure and consigning walking options to the tong sampah.
We can do better than this. Give people trails in their tamans. Make their kampungs more connected. People have known the benefits of little bridges for thousands of years. Let's continue the tradition.
