By Betheena Kae Unite
Thirty-six old bridges in 10 cities in Metro Manila will undergo rehabilitation under a P1-billion allocation, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced.
A total of P1.076-billion was allocated to retrofit, rehabilitate and replace weak and old bridges in the metropolis, according to DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) director Melvin Navarro.
The bridges, Navarro said, will be strengthened to conform to the standard design under DPWH design/seismic guidelines, criteria and specifications in an effort to make vital bridges resilient in the event of large magnitude earthquakes.
“Among the priority projects in NCR, we focus on the implementation of repair and replacement of bridges that need seismic upgrade. That’s why we have allocated P726.782 million to retrofit a total of 26 bridges, P323.753 million to rehabilitate nine bridges, and P25 million to replace one bridge under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” Navarro said.
Various problems over the old bridges, according to the regional director will be addressed following the improvement works.
“As of now, load capacity of old bridges in Metro Manila is constrained hence heavy vehicles are rerouted or detoured. Some are also narrow, limiting the volume of vehicles. These problems will be addressed when these retrofitting and widening works are completed,” Navarro added.
Bridges that will be retrofitted or strengthened include: Alabang-Bayanan, Cupang, Insular Bilibid Prison, and Lower Buli Bridges in Muntinlupa City; C.P. Garcia and Pasig Boulevard Bridges in Pasig City; Quezon Bridge in Taguig City; Pasong Tamo Bridge in Makati City; Canumay, Polo, Malinta Interchange and Torres Bridges in Valenzuela City; and the Algeciras, Antipolo, McArthur, Muelle dela Industria Bridges, and Nagtahan Link Bridge 1 in Manila City.
Culiat Bridge 1 and 2 (Northbound and southbound) and Lagarian Bridge 1 in Quezon City; Cut-Cut Bridge (Northbound), Cementina. Malibay Bridge 1 and 2 (Northbound and southbound), and Tramo Bridge in Pasay City; and the Marcos Alvarez Bridge 1 in Las Piñas City will likewise be retrofitted.
Major rehabilitation will be implemented on the following bridges: Barangca Viaduct (Flyover), Marcos, Marikina, and Nangka Bridges in Marikina City; Buting Bridge and C5/Ortigas Interchange in Pasig City; and Delpan, Mabini Bridges and Nagtahan Flyover in Manila City.
The Tripa de Gallina Bridge in Pasay City which is rapidly deteriorating will be totally replaced, Navarro said.