Key Marikina bridge reopened in time for ‘Undas’

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro and Public Works Secretary Mark Villar inspect the rehabilitated Marcos Bridge on Oct. 31, the day the bridge was reopened to traffic. PHOTO FROM MARIKINA PIO

MANILA, Philippines — In a perfectly timed move, officials reopened the Marcos Bridge to traffic on Thursday, Oct. 31, as thousands of vehicles were expected to wound their way to it for All Souls and All Saints Day.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro led ceremonies to reopen the bridge, which went through major repairs for at least five months.

At least P213 million was spent on repairs on the bridge that included strengthening of girders.

Expansion joints, concrete sidewalks, railings and drain pipes of the bridge were also improved and replaced.

Teodoro said the bridge’s reopening makes it passable again to at least 200,000 vehicles expected to enter Marikina during “Undas.” The city is home to several memorial parks.

“This is a big help,” the mayor said in Filipino.

Villar said the original completion deadline for the bridge repair was April 2020 yet, but the DPWH worked 24/7 to finish the project ahead of schedule out of awareness that the bridge would help ease congestion during “Undas.”

The eastbound portion of the bridge was closed last May 26 for the rehabilitation plan./TSB