SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The Department of Public Works and Highways in region 1 has advised the commuters to take precautionary measures while traversing affected national roads and bridges in the region, particularly in Ilocos Sur, La Union and in Pangasinan.
The Ilocos Sur 2nd District Engineering Office reported that as of 5 p.m. on Monday, August 1, the Tagudin-Cervantes Road, KO 339+200, has remained impassable for all types of vehicles.
This is due to the recurrence of land/rockslides caused by continuous aftershocks and heavy rainfall in the area. Clearing operations will resume Tuesday, August 2.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur can be reached thru an alternate route.
If bound for Cervantes: From Candon City, travelers can take Junction Santiago-Banayoyo-Lidlidda-San Emilio-Quirino Road (45.736 kms.) and Cervantes-Quirino Road (26.511 kms) and vice versa.
The La Union 2nd District Engineering Office stressed that San Luis Bridge 2 K0220+759 along Rosario-Pugo Road is passable only for vehicles of up to 10 tons, and vehicles above 10 tons may take Manila North Road/Agoo-Baguio City Road and vice versa.
The Pangasinan 2nd District Engineering Office said that Dawel Bridge, K0380+058-K0380+182, along Dagupan-Bonuan-San Fabian Road is passable only for vehicles of up to five tons, vehicles above five tons may take Pangasinan-La Union Inter Provincial Road (Dagupan-Mangaldan Road Section) and vice versa.
The Pangasinan Second District Engineering Office & Dagupan City POSO) are on a 24/7 manning/controlling the area for a smooth flow of traffic.
All other National Roads and Bridges are passable to all types of vehicles.
Structural engineers continued to assess all infrastructures affected/damaged by the magnitude 7 earthquake.
The District Engineering Offices & Regional Office Engineers together with Technical Staff/Engineers from Central Office (Bureau of Design (Buildings & Bridges Section) & Bureau of Maintenance) take charge of the assessment.