Marcos orders bridge upgrades projects done

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered continued reinforcement of the Agana Bailey Bridge and the construction of parallel bridges beside the Agana and Aquino bridges in Tarlac City to improve travel and the movement of goods.

The original bridges collapsed during heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon. Marcos said their age contributed to their deterioration: the Agana Bridge was more than 70 years old, while the Aquino Bridge was more than 50.

The national government has allocated P300 million in financial assistance to the Tarlac City government for recovery efforts.

A temporary 136-meter steel Bailey bridge now stands in place of the Agana Bridge, reconnecting Tarlac City with the western municipalities of Sta. Ignacia, Mayantoc, Camiling and San Clemente. Structural upgrades raised its maximum vehicle weight limit from 10 to 15 tons for light vehicles, the report said.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said repair and protection works were progressing. The Department of Public Works and Highways has installed protective fenders around the Agana Bridge’s piers to shield them from boulders and floating debris carried by the Tarlac River.

Construction of a permanent parallel bridge beside Agana is scheduled to begin in 2027, with P180 million allocated and completion targeted for early 2028. The DPWH is finalizing the design for a parallel Aquino Bridge.

The planned bridges are intended to turn the routes into four-lane corridors and ease traffic bottlenecks.