Completion of new Maramba Bridge done by December
STA. BARBARA—The new Maramba Bridge, a vital link between the poblacion here and Calasiao, is set for completion by early December this year in time for the town’s fiesta.
Although work on the project has just resumed after being suspended for almost a month, Municipal Administrator Albertini de Guzman assured there would be no more hitches in the construction work.
De Guzman explained that work was suspended for a month to allow the Japanese-owned Toyo Construction to revise the design of the project.
The old design for a four-column footing of the bridge has been changed to a two-column footing to avoid clogging from debris.
Moreover, the contractor found that a two-column footing is more suitable than the four-column footing considering that the Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara rises during the rainy season, causing flooding in the town.
When floodwater rises, it carries with it debris that could slam into the Maramba Bridge and weaken it anew, De Guzman said.
The Maramba Bridge, built during the post-war era, was earlier recommended for replacement.
The contractor is now hastening work in anticipation of delays resulting from the La Niña phenomenon this year and the constant rain and flooding.
De Guzman also said aside from constructing the bridge, Toyo Construction committed to dredge portions of the Sinocalan River 100 meters before and after the Maramba Bridge.
The dredging was requested by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco in lieu of a temporary detour bridge.
The contractor will also provide concrete abatement of the dike.-LM
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