Heavy rains stall traffic between Iloilo, Antique; part of bridge’s approach washed out

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Vehicular traffic between Iloilo and Antique provinces was stalled on Thursday after heavy rains washed out part of the approach of a short-span bridge in San Joaquin town in Iloilo.

The four-meter box culvert at Andona Creek in Barangay (village) Siwaragan became impassable starting early morning, engineer Cecil Caligan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st Engineering District said.

It was reopened at 2:30 p.m. but was again closed at 6 p.m. after the approach in the opposite side of the bridge going to Antique was also washed out.

Commuters including passengers of vans and buses had to get off from one side of the bridge and walk to the other side where they transferred to other vehicles.

Caligan said heavy rains since Wednesday evening could have softened and loosened the approaches of the bridge.

Half of the bridge was already closed to traffic because of an ongoing project to build a new 8-meter bridge.

DPWH personnel were repairing the bridge as of Thursday evening. Caligan said the bridge could be reopened late Thursday or early Friday.