Construction work on the Pampanga Delta Bridge Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Masantol, Pampanga is now making a steady pace of progress.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in his report to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, said that the bridge is 88% complete despite disruptions on the advancement of work brought about by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
The construction of the 270-meter bridge under the DPWH Bridges Construction Replacement Program (BCRP) 2 implemented by DPWH Unified Project Managent Office - Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) is being carried out by contractor Eddmari Construction & Trading in joint venture partnership with J.H. Pajara Construction Company.
According to Senior Undersecretary Sadain, the Pampanga Delta Bridge is a crucial component of infrastructure development that will promote economic growth in the Municipalities of Masantol and Macabebe in Pampanga and Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Malolos City in Bulacan.
At present, these municipalities are exchanging trades through long routes passing Apalit, Pampanga, added Senior Undersecretary Sadain who together with UPMO-BMC Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes inspected the on-going bridge construction on Friday, September 9, 2022.
The bridge project costing ₱566.6 million will stimulate investment and growth with better connectivity for Masantol and Macabebe which are known to be Pampanga’s center of aquaculture development, the fastest growing food-producing activity on the northern coast of Manila Bay having hectares of fishponds for shrimps, bangus, tilapia and crabs.
The project involves the construction of concrete deck bridge made of five (5) spans of steel box girders supported by four (4) piers and two (2) abutments resting on bored piles of two (2) – 1.50-meter diameter at both abutments and six (6) – 1.80-meter diameter at piers.
During the inspection, Senior Undersecretary Sadain witnessed the launching of one (1) segment of girder at span pier 3 to pier 4 using specialized construction equipment like floating crane.
On behalf of Secretary Bonoan, I commend the team of UPMO-BMC headed by Project Director Delos Reyes with Project Manager Dina Lane O. Sagun, Project Engineer Joseph Ramoel B. Lofamia, and Materials Engineer John Christian T. Gaden for an immense project transformation despite work suspensions in the past at the height of COVID-19 pandemic with the sub-structures of the bridge, which represent piers and abutments fully completed and two (2) spans of steel box girders and half of span 3 which is part of the superstructure completed as well, said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The estimated completion date for the project has been scheduled for September 2023.