The Panguil Bay Bridge Project has reached a major milestone with the final concrete pouring ceremony between the two extra-dosed main bridges, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Tuesday, July 16.
The ceremony also marked the completion of the pre-stressed concrete box girder linking the first pylon in Tangub, Misamis Occidental and the second pylon in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain expressed optimism that the inter-island bridge project would proceed smoothly through its final stages.
Sadain said the bridge would raise the economic potential of the island, particularly Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte.
Once completed, the Panguil Bay Bridge Project will span 3.17 kilometers, making it the longest bridge in Mindanao.
The structure includes a 320-meter extra-dosed main bridge, a 1,920-meter pre-stressed concrete girder approach bridge, and a 929-meter approach road.
Based on the design and build contract of the project, the project is expected to improve economic activities, improve quality of life, and open new opportunities for trade and travel in Mindanao.
Upon its completion, travel time between Tangub and Tubod is expected to reduce to just seven minutes, a significant improvement from the current 2.5-hour travel along the 100-kilometer Tangub-Kapatagan-Tubod routes.
Funded through a loan agreement between the Philippines government and South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund, construction is being carried out by joint venture contractors Namkwang-Kukdong-Gumwang and Yooshin Eng’g Corp., in collaboration with project consultants Pyunghwa Eng’g & KyongHo Eng’g & Architects.
Sadain confirmed that the Panguil Bay Bridge Project has achieved an impressive accomplishment rate of 93.3 percent to date.