The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has restricted trucks exceeding 15 tons from crossing Buntun Bridge in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, after engineers detected cracks and openings on its deck slab.
DPWH-Cagayan 3rd District Engineering Office said the restriction is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the 1.3-kilometer bridge, which serves as a key transport link across the Cagayan River.
Heavier vehicles are advised to take the Daang Maharlika route in Isabela as an alternative passage.
DPWH assured the public that engineers are closely monitoring the bridge while conducting studies to determine necessary repairs or reinforcement measures.
Built in the 1960s, Buntun Bridge has undergone multiple maintenance works, but its aging structure and increasing traffic load remain a challenge.
Authorities appealed for public cooperation, emphasizing that ongoing technical assessments will determine the next steps to keep the bridge safe and operational.