DPWH shuts damaged P23.2-M bridge section

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has closed a damaged section of Bridge No. 1 along the Batac-Pinili Road in Sitio Bessang, Barangay 21 Quiom, Batac City, Ilocos Norte, after detecting a depressed approach slab on Saturday.

The DPWH Ilocos Norte Second District Engineering Office installed barriers and warning signs to prevent accidents after identifying a significant depression at Abutment B.

Motorists have been advised to use the bridge’s northern, older section as an alternative passage while the affected southern section remains closed pending engineering assessment and repairs.

Photographs of the damaged area show cracks across the concrete pavement, a broken section near the centerline and loose concrete debris.

Documents on the DPWH transparency portal identify the project under Contract ID No. 23AB0029, covering the widening of permanent bridges along the Batac-Pinili Road via Maipalig Road.

The contract, dated 8 March 2023, shows that Remigio General Construction was awarded the project for P23,231,025.58.

The scope included bridge construction, concrete pavement, earthworks, drainage and slope protection structures, according to the published contract documents.

However, the cause of the newly reported depression has yet to be established. Further technical assessment is needed to determine whether it is related to the original construction, underlying ground conditions, drainage or other factors.

The DPWH has yet to establish the estimated repair cost and target date for reopening the affected section.

For now, the agency is keeping the southern approach closed to protect motorists, pedestrians and other road users while the necessary engineering intervention is being addressed.

The incident highlights the importance of prompt inspections and safety measures in addressing infrastructure damage, although the available project records do not establish whether the deterioration is linked to the original construction.