DPWH Allots P1-Billion to Strengthen 36 Bridges in Metro Manila

Perhaps as a knee-jerk reaction to the closure of the Otis Bridge in Paco, Manila after a portion of the 50-year-old structure collapsed in June, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has set aside a budget of PHP1.076 billion "to retrofit, rehabilitate, and replace weak and old bridges in Metro Manila."

According to DPWH National Capital Region (NCR) Director Melvin Navarro, a total of 36 bridges in 10 cities within Metro Manila will be strengthened to conform to the standard design under the agency's design/seismic guidelines, criteria, and specifications to make vital bridges resilient in the event of large magnitude earthquakes.

"Among the priority projects in NCR, we focus on the implementation of repair and replacement of bridges that need seismic upgrade," said Navarro. "That’s why we have allocated P726.782 million to retrofit a total of 26 bridges, P323.753 million to rehabilitate 9 bridges, and P25 million to replace one bridge under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA)."

Bridges that will be retrofitted or strengthened include: Alabang-Bayanan, Cupang, Insular Bilibid Prison, and Lower Buli Bridges in Muntinlupa City; C.P. Garcia and Pasig Boulevard Bridges in Pasig City; Quezon Bridge in Taguig City; Pasong Tamo Bridge in Makati City; Canumay, Polo, Malinta Interchange and Torres Bridges in Valenzuela City; and the Algeciras, Antipolo, McArthur, Muelle dela Industria Bridges, and Nagtahan Link Bridge 1 in Manila City.

Culiat Bridge 1 and 2 (northbound and southbound) and Lagarian Bridge 1 in Quezon City; Cut-Cut Bridge (northbound), Cementina. Malibay Bridge 1 and 2 (Northbound and southbound), and Tramo Bridge in Pasay City; and the Marcos Alvarez Bridge 1 in Las Piñas City will likewise be retrofitted.

Major rehabilitation will be implemented on the following bridges: Barangca Viaduct (Flyover), Marcos, Marikina, and Nangka Bridges in Marikina City; Buting Bridge and C5/Ortigas Interchange in Pasig City; and Delpan, Mabini Bridges and Nagtahan Flyover in Manila City.

Navarro added that the Tripa de Gallina Bridge in Pasay City, which is rapidly deteriorating, will be totally replaced.