Bridge in Quezon town closed for repair; alternate routes advised

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Quezon 2nd Engineering Office has advised motorists, particularly those going to and from the Bicol region, to take alternate routes after a bridge in Sariaya town was closed to all vehicles.

Lagnas Bridge 1 in Barangay Sampaloc 2, is prohibited from being used by all types of vehicles starting Nov. 16 due to ongoing repair that will take four to six months to complete.

Motorists are advised to take either of the two alternate routes: Candelaria By-pass Road to San Juan — Candelaria Junction to Candelaria — Bolboc Road and then Quezon Eco-Tourism Road and vice versa; and Lutucan Guis-Guis Port Road to Quezon Eco-Tourism Road and vice versa.

Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta confirmed to Quezon Governor Helen Tan on Sunday during their ocular visit the communication from DPWH for the closure of Lagnas Bridge due to its deteriorating condition resulting from previous typhoons and floods.

“I will meet the DPWH engineers and the mayors of the adjacent towns to come up with possible solutions to the situation,” Tan said.

The DPWH informed on the scouring of the river bed near the bridge pier after Typhoon Paeng two years ago. A budget was allocated for necessary repairs under the General Appropriations Act 2024 and was initiated before the onset of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

The DPWH Regional Office has requested additional funding under the National Expenditure Program for Fiscal Year 2025. The project will include the installation of a three-layer ground sill made of rubble concrete and reinforced concrete revetment.

Additionally, the earthworks will also involve embankment stabilization with mattresses to secure the riverbed along with other bridge improvements.