This, after the Department of Public Works and Highways reported that the Pampanga Delta Bridge project is already 88% complete.
The construction of the 270-meter bridge is under the DPWH Bridges Construction Replacement Program (BCRP) 2 implemented by DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Bridges Management Cluster Project (UPMO-BMC).
The project is being implemented by contractor Eddmari Construction & Trading in joint venture partnership with J.H. Pajara Construction Company.
On Friday, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain and UPMO-BMC Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes led the inspection of the ongoing bridge construction.
Sadain said the bridge will spur economic growth in the towns of Masantol and Macabebe in Pampanga, and Calumpit, Hagonoy and Malolos City in Bulacan.
The infrastructure spans the Pampanga River, connecting Barangay Balibago and Bebe Anac in Masantol town.
Once completed, the bridge will provide better connectivity to the towns of Macabebe and Masantol.
It will directly link the coastal villages of Masantol and Macabebe which are located at the Pampanga River’s left bank — to Masantol town proper.
Currently, residents and fishermen from the six coastal villages and as far as Bulacan who do business or access government and health services in Masantol proper must cross the Rio Grande de Pampanga via a boat ride.
They may also opt for land travel through a long route passing by villages in Macabebe, Calumpit in Bulacan, and Apalit.
Travel time using that route going to the nearest town proper of either Calumpit, Bulacan or Apalit, Pampanga is estimated to reach an hour.
Once completed, the bridge project will cost ?566.6 million.
The project involves the construction of a concrete deck bridge made of five spans of steel box girders supported by four piers and two abutments resting on bored piles of two -1.50-meter diameter at both abutments and six –1.80-meter diameter at piers.
During the inspection, Sadain witnessed the launching of one segment of girder at span pier 3 to pier 4 using specialized construction equipment like floating cranes.
As of Friday, Sadain said the sub-structures of the bridge, which represent piers and abutments, are already fully completed.
The project is estimated to be completed by September 2023.