Tullahan Bridge opens to light vehicles today

Until yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) seemed to flip-flop on its decision whether or not it will conduct a dry run on the Tullahan Bridge, which was set to be reopened today.

Project Engineer Ed Santos of the DPWH-National Capital Region office said the bridge would finally be reopened today after six months of reconstruction that was marred by a series of delays and alleged anomalies.

Santos, however, clarified that the reopening of the bridge to traffic is only a dry run as finishing touches have yet to be completed on its approaches at both ends.

“We will open two lanes of the bridge to light vehicles, including cars, jeepneys, vans and other light four-wheel vehicles, tomorrow (Monday) provided that we successfully lay asphalt on the approaches by tonight – and that is if it doesn’t rain,” Santos said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Santos’ statement runs contrary to an earlier statement by engineer Angelito Twano, DPWH Metro Manila assistant director, who said there will be no dry run for all traffic at the bridge today, which will remain closed since safety tests are yet to be conducted.

Santos said they could not yet open the newly repaired bridge to trucks, buses and heavy vehicles today due to “bad weather in recent days that caused instability to the base of the approaches.”

But he assured that the remaining necessary operations on the approaches of the bridge would be completed by Sunday night “by hook or by crook.”

“So we appeal to the public for more understanding. We were really doing our best to complete the project immediately but there have been circumstances that were beyond our control,” Santos said.

The opening of the bridge to all vehicular traffic has been reset to Oct. 31.

The project, which started last April, involved the demolition of the 73-year-old bridge and the construction of an entirely new one. The whole span was also raised to two-and-a-half meters from ground level.

The new bridge has been open to pedestrians since late last month.

The project, which started last April, was supposed to be completed last June. It was later moved to Oct. 15 due to several reasons given lack of funds, flawed design, bad weather, garbage and politics, according to the DPWH.