Ayala Bridge to close to traffic for four weekends

The Ayala Bridge in Manila will be closed to traffic for four weekends starting on October 9, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

The DPWH said a “full closure” of the Ayala Bridge was needed for post-tensioning and dampers installation works.

The bridge will be closed to traffic following the schedule below:

10 p.m. October 9 to 5 a.m. October 12

10 p.m. October 16 to 5 a.m. October 19

10 p.m. October 23 to 5 a.m. October 26

10 p.m. October 30 to 5 a.m. November 2

During weekdays, the DPWH said one outer lane in each direction would be open to allow light vehicles to pass.

The agency said additional lanes may be opened starting October 16 as work on the bridge progresses.
 

READ: Ayala Bridge rehab to go on until December

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said that Ayala Bridge is expected to be fully opened to vehicular traffic by November 2, 2015 following the completion of post tensioning activities, a method of introducing internal forces or stress to the high strength steel or cables after concrete placement.

“When construction related activities on top of the bridge are completed, vehicular movement will be allowed as remaining works such as welding and sandblasting will be done under the bridge that will be completed on December 23, 2015,” Singson said.

In March, the Ayala Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic to allow structural repair on the bridge. Part of the repair was lifting the bridge to 70 meters for freeboard clearance of navigating vessels along Pasig River.

READ: Ayala Bridge reopening moved from April to June

The DPWH said that in the past, the “Ayala Bridge was susceptible to damage from passing barges and tugboats because of limited freeboard clearance and also at serious risk from seismic or earthquake forces inasmuch as it was subjected to major repair 58 years ago.”

Singson said the retrofitting works at the Ayala Bridge, which includes installation of high-damping rubber bearings, would “allow the bridge to absorb energy in case of lateral earthquake.” Nestor Corrales, INQUIRER.net/CDG