Vehicular traffic will not be allowed at Ayala Bridge in Manila in the next four (4) weekends of October 2015.
The Department of Public Works and Highways disclosed that post-tensioning and dampers installation works will require full closure of Ayala Bridge every Fridays at 10 PM through Mondays at 5 AM specifically between October 9 to 12, October 16 to 19, October 23 to 26, and October 30 to November 2.
Ayala Bridge will be one (1) outer lane open in each direction for light vehicles during weekdays wherein additional lane in each direction may be opened by October 16-31, 2015 as work progresses.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. 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 the 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, added Singson.
The 139-lineal meter bridge with a total superstructure width of 25 was lifted by 70 centimeters for freeboard clearance of navigating vessels along Pasig River.
The lifting of the bridge, first in the Philippines, commenced last April 22 utilizing heavy lifting system which is being used to lift bridges, buildings and other structures worldwide.
In the past, 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 (1957).
The retrofitting works at the Ayala Bridge in Manila will be compliant to the latest seismic design when fully completed.
To ensure that the four lane steel truss-type Ayala bridge will be earthquake-resistant, two (2) seismic engineering tools namely the high-damping rubber bearing and base isolation were utilized at the bridge rehabilitation project.
Installation of high-damping rubber (HDR) bearings will allow the bridge to absorb energy in case of lateral earthquake by transforming energy to heat while the use of base isolators is intended for the bridge to survive a devastating seismic impact by dividing the bridge’s fixed connections to substructures and placing roller bearing on sides of the bridge to make way for movement.