THE much-needed repair of the partially collapsed 442-meter Carlos P. Romulo Bridge, also known as Wawa Bridge, along the Camiling-Wawa-Bayambang-Malasiqui-Sta. Barbara Road will start this quarter.

Esperanza Tinaza, DPWH Ilocos Region information officer, said a P300-million fund for the reconstruction work was allocated in the 2024 national budget and the procurement process was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2023, but a public consultation was held only on January 22 this year.

Originally constructed in 1945, the bridge serves as a crucial link between Pangasinan and Tarlac and is utilized by motorists, including commuter buses traveling in and out of the National Capital Region.

In October 2022, a section of the bridge collapsed after two vehicles — a 12-wheeler dump truck weighing 63.3 tons and the other an elf truck carrying six tons — exceeded the bridge’s 20-ton load limit.

Tinaza said the bailey bridge is currently designated for one-way traffic and requires vehicles to maintain a distance of 20 meters apart.

Vehicles over five tons are being diverted to alternate routes.

Meanwhile, Bayambang Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao, in a social media post, announced plans for a second temporary bridge to be built soon to accommodate daily commuters before the demolition of the existing one and the construction of its replacement. (Ahikam Pasion)