DAVAO CITY – The city government urged all motorists to prepare for increased congestion as the Bolton Bridge 1, southbound lane, is temporarily closed starting Friday evening, July 18, for essential repairs.
The 21st Davao City Council approved the bridge closure on Tuesday, July 15, following the adoption of a resolution spearheaded by Councilor Jose Marie Bernardo Baluran, chairperson of the Committee on Transportation and Communication.
According to Baluran, the resolution authorizes the temporary shutdown of the bridge’s southbound lane from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 18, until midnight on Sunday, July 27.
The resolution said the bridge rehabilitation involves the repair of damaged expansion joints – an undertaking necessary to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the decades-old infrastructure.
It added that the repair work will be conducted by Agong Builders and Construction Supplies Inc., whose project manager, Engr. Joed Parenas, filed the request for a road closure in line with their current construction schedule.
The City Traffic and Transportation Management Office backed the request, provided that proper safety measures are implemented throughout the project.
Baluran cited Section 21 (c) of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which allows the temporary closure of public roads to accommodate infrastructure projects and similar public works, as long as the local chief executive duly authorized these.
The city government emphasized that the bridge closure is strictly limited to public works and not for recreational or civic purposes without formal government sponsorship.
The CTTMO has issued a public advisory confirming the 10-day closure of the southbound lane of Bolton Bridge.
Motorists were advised to plan alternative routes and anticipate delays during the repair period.
The city government will deploy additional personnel to manage traffic and assist drivers in detour routes.
For real-time updates and advisories, commuters were urged to monitor official channels of the CTTMO and the Davao City government.