The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently completed the first phase of a long-span bridge project to improve connectivity in the town of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Eugenio Pipo, Jr., DPWH Regional Office I Director Ronnel Tan said that the construction of the 245.9-meter Ambalayat Bridge crossing Amburayan River aims to connect Barangay Ambalayat with Barangay Pallogan.
“The construction of the Ambalayat Bridge is expected to cut into 2 minutes the travel time of residents and other road users, from the previous 45 minutes to 1 hour using bangka or balsa (small raft or boat), making it easier for the residents to travel between municipalities and integrate them with the main road network,” Tan said.
“Without this bridge, residents have to cross the Amburayan River through makeshift balsa or bangka just to reach the other side.”
“Without this bridge, residents have to cross the Amburayan River through makeshift balsa or bangka just to reach the other side. Rainy or typhoon season worsen their situation as they have to wait for the water level to subside,” he added.
The first phase of the Ambalayat Bridge Project was funded under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) with a total contract amount of P217.12 million.
The construction of the new bridge under Phase 1 also involves the aggregate subbase course and stone masonry and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining wall that serves as a slope protection structure of Barangay Ambalayat and Barangay Pallogan.
To complete the project, DPWH will be implementing two more phases with combined project cost of P250-million, which includes the construction of bridge approach and flood control structure.
