THE San Joaquin bridge widening project along Southern Leyte’s national highway, aimed at easing congestion and complementing the infrastructure agency’s road expansion efforts, is set to be completed early next quarter.
The Department of Public Works and Highways Southern Leyte district engineering office revealed that the bridge project, located in Macrohon town along Bdry. So. Leyte – Maasin – Macrohon – Sogod – Jct. Daang Maharlika, has a total cost of PHP 46.96 million and commenced in February 2023.
The project involves widening the two-span bridge to have a total area of 351.96 square meters, with two abutments, a deck slab with concrete railing, and approach slabs on both sides with stone masonry and one pier.
District Engineer Manolo Rojas noted, “With the opening of Padre Burgos Port, large buses and rolling cargoes are plying our major thoroughfares. It has been observed that the existing two-lane bridges can no longer accommodate the increased traffic volume and larger vehicles.”
He emphasized that expanding bridges from two lanes to four lanes will help alleviate traffic congestion, enhance road safety, and facilitate smoother traffic flow.
Technical personnel from DPWH recently inspected the project’s progress, focusing on rebar fabrication and installation for concrete railing, as well as stone masonry works and preparation for the approach slab. Works on one side of the bridge are ongoing, while works on the other side have already been completed. | DPWH8/SLDEO
