The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has re-opened the Diokno Bridge along Diokno Highway in Calaca, Batangas, which was previously closed due to road slips and damaged slope protection brought by heavy rains in 2016.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar led the inauguration of the reconstructed 90-lineal meter Diokno Bridge on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, that serves as a vital part of the Diokno Highway, formerly known as Tagaytay-Junction–Calaca-Lemery Road.
“Travel time from Tagaytay to Lemery will be greatly reduced by 30-45 minutes because motorists won’t have to go around the longer routes of Tagaytay-Nasugbu Road and Palico-Balayan-Batangas Road,” Villar said.
DPWH has allocated P86.3-million for the reconstruction of Diokno Bridge which commenced in the first quarter of 2017.
The completed project involves the construction of a 90-lineal meter pre-stressed concrete girder bridge with Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) approaches, 20-centimeter aggregate sub-base course, 15-centimeter aggregate surface course on shoulders, with earthworks, stone masonry grouted riprap, and drainage.
The new Diokno Bridge is also expected to boost tourism in Tagaytay, Calaca, Lemery, and other towns along the Diokno Highway that would spur more livelihood opportunities for locals running both big and small enterprises.
“Malapit na naman po ang Pasko kaya siguradong dadagsain ng ating mga kababayan ang Tagaytay at Batangas, makakaasa ang lahat na patuloy nating aayusin at papatibayin ang mga tulay at kalsada hindi lang dito kundi sa buong Pilipinas,” Villar pointed out.