Ayala Bridge partly reopens June 15

P447-M REHAB With its last major repair works done in 1957, Ayala Bridge was reinforced to hopefully withstand a strong earthquake and raised by 70 cm to allow more headroom for barges and other vessels in the Pasig River. Workers concentrate on a section on Thursday. JOAN BONDOC

After being closed for almost three months, the newly rehabilitated Ayala Bridge in Manila will be partially reopened to motorists on Monday, June 15, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

The reopening was originally scheduled yesterday but the project contractor appealed for an extension, according to DPWH-National Capital Region Director Reynaldo Tagudando.

“The plan was to open partially the west side of the bridge on Friday. However, all the equipment being used to work on the east side are still occupying the west side. So for the safety of the motorists we decided not to open it yet,” Tagudando said.

“But [the contractor] committed to open one lane on both sides—north and southbound—Monday morning,” Tagudando added.

The DPWH could not yet give a date for the full opening as Tagudando said there were still a lot of work to be done, including the installation of dampers, post tensioning and painting, among others.

“But by Monday the bridge can already be passable since we will open it partially. This can help alleviate traffic conditions in the city,” Tagudando said.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier explained that the full rehabilitation of the four-lane, steel truss-type bridge was needed to restore its structural integrity.

The 139-meter-long bridge was also raised by 70 centimeters to allow more headroom for vessels in the Pasig River. In the past, Ayala Bridge was susceptible to damage from passing barges and tugboats because of the limited clearance.

With the last major repairs done in 1957, the bridge was also deemed vulnerable to a major earthquake.

The bridge runs across the Pasig River to connect Manila’s Ermita and San Miguel districts.

It was closed to motorists starting March 21 to give way to the P447.9-million rehabilitation project, with Frey-Fil Corp. and EEI Corp. as contractors.

An estimated 35,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.