By Betheena Kae Unite Rehabilitation works on the old Barkadahan Bridge in Taytay, Rizal has been completed, providing a wider road for motorists traveling from towns in Rizal to cities in Metro Manila. The 253-linear meter bridge, a vital route in and out of Rizal Province, was subjected to rehabilitation shortly after a parallel bridge was constructed in 2017 to widen the structure. According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 4-A Director Samson Hebra, the rehabilitation of the old bridge structure was completed in December 2019. It is expected to decongest Manila East Road, Taytay Diversion Road, and East Bank Road. “Aside from the fact that the old substructure is now 20 years old, its rehabilitation is much needed with the volume of vehicles, especially heavy trucks going to the eastern part of Metro Manila and Rizal, passing through everyday,” Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said in a statement Thursday. “With the newly rehabilitated substructure, travel along the entirety of Barkadahan Bridge is now guaranteed safer and smoother,” Villar added. The secretary furthered that Barkadahan Bridge complements the improvement of Laguna Lake Highway which has become an alternative route of motorists specifically those going to the eastern part of Rizal, Marikina, Quezon City, and the western part of Metro Manila including South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. The 34-million rehabilitation project was funded under the 2019 DPWH Regular Infrastructure Program and implemented by the DPWH Rizal I District Engineering Office.