DPWH postpones repair of Sucat interchange bridge

MANILA, Philippines - The Sucat Interchange Bridge will remain open this weekend after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday postponed the repair of the structure.

The DPWH was scheduled to close the east-bound lane of the bridge on Saturday.

But district engineer Isabelo Baleros said the construction of the P36.1-million project would be rescheduled.

The DPWH will first hold a meeting with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other stakeholders, he said.

“Definitely, it would not push through on Aug. 2. The construction was moved a few days more due to time constraint,” Baleros said.

The MMDA yesterday asked the DPWH not to push through with the repair of the bridge.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said work on the interchange bridge could worsen traffic in the area caused by the ongoing construction of the Skyway Stage 3.

Tolentino said they were not informed about the bridge closure.

Mayor Edwin Olivarez said he has instructed the city’s Traffic Management Office to study and propose alternative routes for those who will be affected by the bridge repair.

“We will look into the possibility of imposing a truck ban and color coding scheme to reduce traffic volume in the affected routes to ease the burden of commuters during the duration of the bridge repair,” Olivarez said.

Areas that will be affected by the bridge lane closure are Dr. A. Santos Avenue (Sucat Road) as well as the East and West Service Roads along the South Luzon Expressway. – Evelyn Macairan, Mike Frialde, Perseus Echeminada