The Iloilo Bridge in Iloilo City which was widened by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has re-opened to vehicular traffic.
Senate President and Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon led the opening of the phase II of the Construction/Widening of Iloilo Bridge along Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue, which is also known as the Jaro-Iloilo Diversion Road last October 1, 2014.
Assisting Senate President Drilon in opening the improved Iloilo Bridge to motorists and commuters are DPWH-6 Regional Director Edilberto D. Tayao and Assistant Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado. Also present were Iloilo City Lone Congressional District Representative Jerry P. Treñas and Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog.
The construction/widening of the the bridge in the amount of about P82.300 Million was implemented by DPWH, Regional Office 6 and under contract with IBC Builders Corp.
The project involves widening of the bridge from two (2) lanes to four (4) lanes, including the installation of steel railings and electrical lights; strengthening/retrofitting of top slab, coping and portion of bottom slab of the existing bridge structure; construction of pedestrian underpass, slope protection works and drainage; and concreting of approaches with loading/unloading bays
The bridge has a length of 144 lineal meters and the widened portion has a width of 7.0 meters. It also has a sidewalk with the length of 1.20 meters, which is provided with steel grills and concrete balusters.
The project is a big help in decongesting traffic in Iloilo City since the road serves as one of the main routes going in and out of Iloilo City.