Traffic rerouting in Valenzuela City after land bridge’s collapse

MANILA, Philippines—Motorists are advised to take alternate routes if planning to cross the land bridge in Valenzuela City whose wall collapsed early Tuesday following its closure to all types of vehicles, Architect Joel Sabra of the city traffic sector said Thursday.

Instead of crossing the land bridge connecting villages Gen. T. De Leon and Ugong, Sabra said motorists can take interior roads Angeles, Clemente, Salvador, and Old Santolan to get to their point of destination.

The detour, he said, was made after Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian ordered the closure of the bridge after its wall collapsed around 10:10 a.m. Tuesday, falling onto several shanties built under the bridge and killing two people under the rubble.

“Gagawin yang detour habang nag investigate at tinitignan pa engineering department and stability ng bridge,” Sabra said, adding that a tarpaulin on the detour is set to be put up anytime Thursday as guide to motorists.

Police Officer 1 Darius Orale said authorities earlier evacuated all families living under the adobe-made bridge, saying that cracks were seen underneath the bridge, which put people in the area at risk for another possible collapse.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier identified the fatalities as Christian Serrano, 9, and Rodel Pugoy Sr., 29. Rodel’s body was recovered from the rubble at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, nearly 12 hours after the incident.

Three people were injured: Rodel Pugoy Jr., 2; Rhiyer Pugoy, 1; and Grace Pugoy, 23, NDRRMC said.