DPWH to close sections under Ayala Bridge

MANILA, Philippines - Sections beneath Ayala Bridge in Manila will be closed to prevent squatters from living under the structure.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officer Ric de Vera said yesterday they are in the process of building a wall made of hollow blocks around piers and abutments of the bridge where newly installed dampers and bearing pads were also placed.

De Vera said this was a precaution undertaken by contractors Frey-Fil Corp. and EEI Corp. hired to retrofit the bridge.

He said while there were no reports of informal settlers occupying the lower portion of the bridge, it was decided that it would be sealed off because “we cannot conduct an inspection under the bridge if there are people living there.”

The DPWH had earlier appealed to local government units and concerned barangay officials not to allow informal settlers to set up homes underneath bridges so as not to damage the bridge’s structures.

In April 2014, a fire that reportedly originated from one of the shanties under the Quezon Bridge, resulted in the deformation and buckling of the steel structure of the bridge.

De Vera explained that even if they closed off some sections under the Ayala Bridge, they would still be able to access areas to check on the condition of the dampers and bearing pads by using a manhole at the top of the bridge.

He admitted that putting the wall was not part of the original design, but they “just asked them to put the wall to protect the bridge otherwise the contractors might have to return to check on the structure every now and then.”              

 There is a one-year warranty wherein the contractors would shoulder the cost if repairs will be needed.

De Vera said the rehabilitation of the bridge would be finished by January next year.