DPWH widens 10 bridges in Southern Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 29 -- At least 10 bridges are being widened in Southern Leyte to complement the ongoing road expansion works of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Widening activities will be completed within the year, utilizing PHP252.59 million funds for 2018, said DPWH Southern Leyte field office chief Ma. Margarita Junia.

“We have to expedite the project since it’s not good to see that there are still narrow bridges in the middle of four-lane highways,” Junia said in a message sent to the Philipine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.

Aside from widening, bridges are being strengthened to conform to the standard design under DPWH design guidelines, criteria and specifications to make these structures resilient in the event of strong earthquakes.

The bridges bing widened are Bitanhuan (PHP47.64 million), Gakat (PHP17.3 million), Iti (PHP23.4 million), Nahaong (PHP17.3 million), Nahulid (PHP26.3 million), Oticon (PHP37.3 million) and Pangi (PHP18.75 million), all in Libagon town.

Also ongoing are the expansion of Buac (PHP16.5 million), Maac II (PHP22.5 million), and Magapso (PHP25.6 million) bridges in Sogod town.

These bridges are along the major highways that connect the island of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

The bridge widening activities is part of the PHP2.2 billion worth of infrastructure projects for Southern Leyte this year.

The DPWH in Southern Leyte is tasked to maintain 299 kilometers of national roads and 155 bridges built in 18 towns and one city. (SQM/PNA)