Retrofitting of Dawel Bridge will take 60—90 days

By August 14, 2022Top Stories

THERE is no plan yet to construct a new bridge to replace the damaged Dawel Bridge in Dagupan but merely to do some repair by retrofitting it to strengthen the bearing under the bridge that was weakened by the Magnitude 5 earthquake that struck Dagupan last July 27.

This was reported to the Sangguniang Panlungsod during its regular session on Tuesday (August 9) by Second Pangasinan Highways District Engineer Edita Manuel, who said P20 million was allotted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the retrofitting project that started last week.

“We will provide the innovative design to strengthen the bearing under the bridge,” Manuel said, adding that by retrofitting, “we will not replace the bridge in the meantime”.

She clarified that the quake-damaged Dawel Bridge will not be demolished but will be merely strengthened that can serve as a detour bridge when the plan for a new bridge is approved.

She said a new Dawel Bridge is a priority project of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, whose funding can be expected next year.

“Plans for the construction of the new Dawel Bridge will still need some time, because it is 124 lineal meter long, consisting of five spans and time is needed for the acquisition of right  way in the area,” Manuel said.

Manuel said after inspecting and validating the Dawel Bridge the day after the quake, she met with Mayor Belen Fernandez about her recommendation to open only one lane of the bridge to light vehicles and the need to deploy personnel of the Public Order and Safety Office and the police to control the flow of traffic in the area.

“Let us not risk Dawel Bridge for just one heavy vehicle. Kaya pa nating gawing pangmatagalan pa yong bridge natin,” Manuel said.

She pointed out that the other infrastructure found damaged by the recent quake in Dagupan is the Bolosan-Mangin Bridge under the jurisdiction of the Dagupan City  government whose corroded girder was weakened by the quake.

Like the Dawel Bridge, it is passable only to light vehicles.

She added that the Mamalingling Bridge just underwent repair of its sub-structure and superstructure by her office, and can be an alternate route of light vehicles from Dagupan to Mangaldan and vice versa. (Leonardo Micua)

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