Ayala Bridge closed on 4 weekends

NOT QUITE DONE YET Repairs on Ayala Bridge may take up to the Christmas season. EDWIN BACASMAS

AYALA Bridge in Manila will be closed to vehicular traffic over the next four weekends to give way to more repair works on the 139-meter-long structure.

“Post-tensioning and dampers installation works will require the full closure of the bridge from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday on the following dates: Oct. 9-12, Oct. 16-19, Oct. 23-26 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2,” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said in a statement Tuesday.

On weekdays, one outer lane in each direction of the bridge will be open but only to light vehicles.

“Additional lanes in each direction may be opened by Oct. 16 as work on the bridge progresses,” the DPWH added.

According to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, the bridge is “expected to be fully open to vehicular traffic by Nov. 2 following the completion of post-tensioning activities, a method of introducing internal forces or stress to high-strength steel or cables after the concrete placement.”

The bridge was closed from March to July when it underwent rehabilitation costing P447.9 million. On Sept. 28, it was shut down again without warning to give way to more repairs which are expected to continue until Dec. 23.