Construction of temporary bridge starts after Agana Bridge in Tarlac damaged

MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has started the construction of a Bailey bridge as a temporary replacement for the damaged Agana Bridge in Tarlac City.

In a social media post Monday, the department reported that heavy equipment and materials have arrived for the construction of the temporary structure, a day after the bridge collapsed due to continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat).

A Bailey bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated, modular truss bridge designed for fast assembly without heavy machinery.

On Sunday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the Agana Bridge has collapsed, following the collapse of the Aquino Bridge last Friday due to continuous monsoon rains and the strong current of the Tarlac River.

“A second bridge has also collapsed, and we need to repair it quickly. Tarlac City is now cut off; the only available route is through Gerona,” he said in an interview.

“We need to fast-track the repairs. I have already ordered immediate temporary repairs for the Agana Bridge, as that is the quickest one to repair,” the DPWH chief added.

The temporary bridge is expected to help restore access and reconnect Tarlac City with nearby areas.

Meanwhile, engineers from Manila have been dispatched to assess immediate measures to make the Aquino Bridge passable, at least to light vehicles, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to expedite the response to damaged infrastructure. (PNA)