2 injured as Bulacan bridge collapses

CALUMPIT, Bulacan, Philippines – Two workers were injured when a bridge undergoing rehabilitation here collapsed yesterday, authorities said.

The Calumpit bridge has been under rehabilitation for almost a year now, and this was supposed to be completed last April, but the contractor asked for an extension until September.

The injured workers, crane operator Robert Vidal and mason Jerry David, were rushed to the nearby Sta. Cruz Hospital by the Calumpit 1024 volunteer rescue group stationed near the bridge for possible emergencies.

Engineer Ruel Angeles, head of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ First Engineering District, said the middle span of the bridge gave way as the Wing-An Construction Development Corp. moved equipment there to prepare for the demolition of the third span.

Steel trusses crashed as the middle span collapsed along with the third span, hitting a crane and a lifter used in bringing steel truss atop the bridge.

Earlier, residents and commuters had complained about the slow progress on the bridge’s rehabilitation, which started in mid-2013 and was supposed to be completed after 300 calendar days.

But the contractor found a number of steel, concrete and wooden piles under the bridge and sought an extension.

The DPWH decided to rehabilitate the bridge after the Colgante bridge in Macabebe, Pampanga collapsed in 2010.