Hanoi, July 30 (Engineering Daily) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will implement a total of P1.076 Billion worth of projects to retrofit, rehabilitate, and replace weak and old bridges in Metro Manila.

DPWH National Capital Region Director Melvin Navarro said 36 bridges in 10 cities of Metro Manila will be strengthened to conform to the standard design under DPWH design/seismic guidelines, criteria and specifications in an effort to make vital bridges resilient in the event of large magnitude earthquakes.

“Among the priority projects in NCR, we focus on the implementation of repair and replacement of bridges that need seismic upgrade. That’s why we have allocated P726.782 million to retrofit a total of 26 bridges, P323.753 million to rehabilitate 9 bridges, and P25 million to replace 1 bridge under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA),” said Director Navarro.
 
According to Director Navarro, the 36 NCR bridges along with 12 other carry over priority bridges funded under 2015 to 2017 are to be rehabilitated and/or widened this year to provide better and safer travel to motorists.
 
“As of now, load capacity of old bridges in Metro Manila is constrained hence heavy vehicles are rerouted or detoured. Some are also narrow, limiting the volume of vehicles. These problems will be addressed when these retrofitting and widening works are completed,” added Director Navarro.
 

Bridges that will be retrofitted or strengthened include: Alabang-Bayanan, Cupang, Insular Bilibid Prison, and Lower Buli Bridges in Muntinlupa City; C.P. Garcia and Pasig Boulevard Bridges in Pasig City; Quezon Bridge in Taguig City; Pasong Tamo Bridge in Makati City; Canumay, Polo, Malinta Interchange and Torres Bridges in Valenzuela City; and the Algeciras, Antipolo, McArthur, Muelle dela Industria Bridges, and Nagtahan Link Bridge 1 in Manila City.
 
Culiat Bridge 1 and 2 (Northbound and southbound) and Lagarian Bridge 1 in Quezon City; Cut-Cut Bridge (Northbound), Cementina. Malibay Bridge 1 and 2 (Northbound and southbound), and Tramo Bridge in Pasay City; and the Marcos Alvarez Bridge 1 in Las Piñas City will likewise be retrofitted.
 
Major rehabilitation will be implemented on the following bridges: Barangca Viaduct (Flyover), Marcos, Marikina, and Nangka Bridges in Marikina City; Buting Bridge and C5/Ortigas Interchange in Pasig City; and Delpan, Mabini Bridges and Nagtahan Flyover in Manila City.
 
DPWH NCR Director Navarro said the Tripa de Gallina Bridge in Pasay City which is rapidly deteriorating will be totally replaced.