The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the replacement and strengthening of the 33-year old Adriatico Bridge in Malate, Manila that collapsed in September 2017 due to a parked overloaded garbage truck.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar led the reopening of the newly-replaced bridge on Friday, August 10, 2018, together with Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada, Manila 5th District Rep. Cristal Bagatsing, DPWH Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo, and DPWH National Capital Region Melvin B. Navarro, and DPWH NCR Assistant Regional Director Tiburcio L. Canlas.
According to Secretary Villar, the replacement cost of the 14-meter Adriatico Bridge in the amount of P44 million covered the total reconstruction of the damaged reinforced box culvert, that now has a widened carriageway and increased load capacity.
“To accommodate more traffic volume, we have widened Adriatico Bridge from four (4) lanes to six (6) lanes and increased its maximum allowable weight from 10 tons to 20 tons,” said Secretary Villar.
The improved bridge was also constructed with higher elevation and wider waterway to increase drainage capability at Estero de San Antonio Abad and minimize flooding at the upstream of the bridge particularly within the vicinity of St. Scholastica, St. Benilde and La Salle Universities.
DPWH Secretary Villar assured that the replacement of Adriatico Bridge, along with the other national bridge projects inside and outside Metro Manila conform to the latest DPWH bridge seismic design specifications.
“Retrofitting and replacement of old bridges in the national capital region are being fast tracked as we want our infrastructures prepared and structurally safe and sound in case of the occurrence of massive earthquake and other calamities,” stressed Secretary Villar.