The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is looking forward to finishing the paving of access ramps for a new bridge in Loay, Bohol by June 7, 2022.
In his report to Secretary Roger Mercado, Undersecretary and Build Build Build Chief Implementer Emil Sadain said that the construction of the approach road for the new Clarin Bridge has reached the final stage with the ongoing laying of bituminous asphalt concrete finish after undergoing full compaction of base materials.
Sadain, in charge of Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, was on the construction site of the new Clarin Bridge along Tagbilaran East Road recently.
“Everything is going well with the asphalt paving of approaches and installation of concrete guardrail posts and lighting works.”
“Everything is going well with the asphalt paving of approaches and installation of concrete guardrail posts and lighting works comprising the remaining unfinished work before opening to two-way traffic,” he reported.
Also present during the conduct of the project assessment is UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 Project Director Benjamin Bautista, Project Manager Francisco Sawali, Region 7 Maintenance Chief Faustino Dela Cruz, Bohol 3rd District Engineer Magiting Cruz, Asst. District Engineer Generoso Sison, and Project Engineer Bernardo Austria.
The new bridge in Barangay Poblacion Ubos, Loay crossing Loboc River is designed as a Nielsen Arch bridge spanning 104 meters with an approach road at abutment “A” of 208 meters and at abutment “B” of 217 meters.
In response to the unfortunate collapse of the parallel old Clarin Bridge last April 27, 2022, DPWH UPMO with the assistance of DPWH Regional Office 7 and the District Engineering Offices in Bohol worked vigorously to immediately open the new Clarin Bridge into a one-lane traffic scheme to light vehicles with assigned flagmen and traffic aides in coordination with the local police and barangay.
The old bridge was built in the 1970s and was among the infrastructure affected by the 7.2-magnitude quake that jolted Bohol in 2013.
The Clarin Bridge Replacement Project costing ₱462 million is part of the Bohol Circumferential Road Contract Package 3 under the DPWH Road Upgrading and Preservation Projects (RUPP) funded through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Loan Agreement No. PH-P247.
As of the first week of May 2022, the new Clarin Bridge was made passable in one-lane traffic for light vehicles including motorcycles, cars, vans, and utility vehicles.
While remaining civil works are being undertaken, passing motorists are advised to drive slowly and to follow all construction safety signs and barriers.
The embankment materials for the new Clarin Bridge have to be well-compacted to ensure quality and for the safety of the motorists.
“All equipment and personnel are in full force working double-time to open the bridge into two-way traffic the soonest possible time,” Sadain explained.
With a relatively favorable weather condition, all minor corrections and compaction of the base course before the final asphalt overlay of the approach road are targeted for completion by DPWH by June 7.
“The new Clarin Bridge will further boost the tourism industry of the island province of Bohol in Central Visayas.”
Aside from providing safe, economical, and reliable mobility of people, goods, and services, the new Clarin Bridge will further boost the tourism industry of the island province of Bohol in Central Visayas.
Bohol’s Loboc River is a major tourist destination and also offers alternate routes to the province Billar man-made forest as well as conservation areas for tarsiers and butterflies.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pristine beaches of the province were among the most visited destinations by domestic and international tourists.