BY: REY ANTHONY H. CHIU
BOHOL, July 4 (PIA) – Getting a replacement for the temporary steel component bridge that spans Abatan Bridge and Moalong may take longer than September 2014 as promised.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) however said, it is undertaking geotechnical investigation and soil exploration for the reconstruction of the permanent bridge targeted to start in April 2014 and for completion in September 2014.
DPWH-7 regional director Ador Canlas who appraised the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) members that procurement of the materials for the permanent structures spanning Abatan River in Cortes-Maribojoc towns and Moalong River in Loon does not begin until the first week of July 2014.
In his visit to Bohol in time for the re-opening of the collapsed Abatan Bridge, President Benigno S. Aquino III said a permanent structure would replace the temporary steel component bridge in Abatan, the reconstruction targeted to start in April 2014 and for completion in September 2014.
But making the date proved harder as the RDC-7 in its full council meeting June 26, recently only approved the recommendation that Abatan and four bridges in Bohol needing immediate replacement to be funded by the Government of France under a specific foreign funding scheme for bridges.
But making the date proved harder as the RDC-7 in its full council meeting June 26, recently only approved the recommendation that Abatan and four bridges in Bohol needing immediate replacement to be funded by the Government of France under a specific foreign funding scheme for bridges.
The October 15 earthquake which hit Bohol collapsed a pile of Abatan and sent reinforced deck girders into the river rendering the bridge impassable by wheeled traffic. Other bridges suffered similar fates, in various degrees of devastation.
The destruction interrupted the flow of critical relief and rehabilitation to earthquake devastated areas in Bohol.
In the succeeding days after the earthquake, a DPWH task Force along with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Technical Cooperation Project Team conducted an assessment of earthquake-damaged infrastructure facilities.
The team identified 15 bridges which were in different states of devastation, recommended for replacement five totally ruined bridges and also pushed for major repairs and rehabilitation of nine other bridges which were severely damaged.
Among the five bridges for replacement were Abatan in Cortes-Maribojoc, Moalong in Loon, Tagbuane in Alburquerque, Desamparados and Tultugan bridges both in Calape.
The team also picked Anislag Bridge (Maribojoc), Mandaug (Calape), Bateria (Tubigon), Bacane (Clarin), Damiao (Inabanga), Hunan (Buenavista), Clarin, Palo and Hinawanan Bridges in Loay for major rehabilitation while Taguimtim Bridge (Getafe) is set for minor repair.
Earlier, the DPWH ensured links in the road networks in Bohol and laid temporary bridges on top of the collapsed or severely damaged bridges, a little over a month after the quake.
During Abatan’s opening to traffic, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III assured that a permanent bridge would replace the temporary structures, adding that it would be constructed on a better venue and should be operational by 2014.
And to assure the safety of people traversing the temporary structures, the DPWH also proposed to undertake the reconstruction and repair for the first three bridges which they identified for funding under the Mega Bridges for Urban and Rural Development.
Two others: Desamparados and Tultugan Bridges are also for the Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-agraryo (TPKP).
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee-Technical Board on its meeting in May, 2014 has pushed the project to the Cabinet Committee level for approval.
For the remaining projects, the DPWH planned to implement the remaining 9 other repair and rehab projects for funding under the JICA-Assisted Road Upgrading and Preservation project.
For Taguimtim Bridge, the DPWH proposed for the minor repair and rehabilitation using local DPWH District Engineering Office local funds. (mbcn/rahc/PIA7-Bohol)