Pigalo Bridge in Isabela, which was badly damaged by twin typhoons eight years ago, was finally opened to public Thursday.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated the bridge crossing Cagayan River two months after its completion was announced.
It is a 450-meter long bridge that serves as a vital link between municipalities of Angadanan and San Guillermo, and other municipalities in the province.
The old Pigalo Bridge was destroyed in 2011 during the onslaught of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.” Its reconstruction, however, only happened in 2017 – six years after being devastated.
According to Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, a total of P459 million was spent to replace the bridge.
Villar also stressed that it took them two months to officially open the roads as the improvement of the bridge’s integrity carried on.
“Durability and ease of transportation is no question. Although the bridge was completed last March, we continued to improve the integrity of the structure due to the anticipated high volume of heavy vehicles that are expected to pass through the bridge on a daily basis,” the DPWH Secretary explained.
The bridge also has sidewalk and concrete railings to secure accessibility for pedestrians. (Betheena Unite)
