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Overloading caused bridge collapse in Pangasinan: DPWH

By Hilda Austria

October 21, 2022, 7:35 pm

<p><strong>OVERLOADING</strong>. A portion of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge in Barangay Wawa Bayambang town, Pangasinan on Thursday (Oct. 20, 2022). The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed on Friday that the collapse of the bridge was due to overloading. <em>(Photo courtesy of Bayambang PDRRMO/ Aries Bautista)</em></p>

OVERLOADING. A portion of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge in Barangay Wawa Bayambang town, Pangasinan on Thursday (Oct. 20, 2022). The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed on Friday that the collapse of the bridge was due to overloading. (Photo courtesy of Bayambang PDRRMO/ Aries Bautista)

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) confirmed on Friday that the collapse of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge here was due to overloading.

In a statement issued on Friday, DPWH Ilocos regional director Ronnel Tan said the two trucks caused the total collapse of the bridge.

“The condition of the bridge is fair, meaning there are no visible major defects,” he said.

Tan said the bridge built in 1945 has a load limit of 20 tons but the two trucks -- a 12-wheeler dump truck and an elf truck -- weighed about 63.3 tons and six tons, respectively.

The maintenance crew of Pangasinan fourth district engineering office immediately placed the necessary warning signs to inform the motorists and pedestrians plying the route, he said.

“A bailey bridge that will serve as a temporary route will be installed in two weeks’ time,” he added.

The two trucks carrying fertilizers and sand respectively were passing through the bridge when a portion collapsed.

Four persons were injured in the incident but are now in stable condition.

The local government of Bayambang provides a free ride to the affected residents while the guidelines for riding a motorized boat to pass through the river were also set.

Bayambang town mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose Quiambao earlier advised the motorists intending to pass through the bridge going to Camiling town in Tarlac province to take an alternate route. (PNA)

 

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