Ayala Bridge repair delayed anew

MANILA, Philippines – The scheduled completion of the Ayala Bridge repair has been moved anew to December, an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday.

The DPWH official, who asked not to be named, said the project contractor asked for the extension of the repair and retrofitting of the bridge until Dec. 23.

Last June, DPWH-National Capital Region director Reynaldo Tagudando said the Ayala Bridge would be made passable to heavy vehicles this month.

But the source said delays in the construction caused the reopening of the structure to heavy vehicles to be moved to October.

“Materials needed for the retrofitting of the bridge are imported from Europe and these are expected to arrive on Sept. 14,” the source said.

The bridge partially opened to light vehicles on June 15.

Project contractors Frey-Fil Corp. and EEI Corp. have elevated the bridge by 70 centimeters but still need to install cables and shock absorbers at the bottom of the structure to withstand a powerful earthquake.

Remaining works on the bridge include sand blasting and repainting.

The rehabilitation of the Ayala Bridge was awarded to the contractors for P447.9 million.