The Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office XIII recently completed the widening of two (2) critical bridges along Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) namely, Bangonay Bridge in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte and Magtiaco Bridge in Alegria, Surigao del Norte.
The bridges were widened from two-lanes to four-lanes with provision of miscellaneous structures and solar lights. The widened bridges are expected to ease the traffic congestion in the area and improve delivery of goods and services for a more robust economy of the provinces.
According to Regional Director Pol M. Delos Santos, βDaang Maharlika is an N1 category national highway in which flow of traffic is critical and must be unobstructed especially during calamities.β
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When Typhoon Basyang hit the Region in 2018, Bangonay, Magtiaco and Puyo Bridge were the 3 bridges along the Daang Maharlika (Surigao-Agusan Section) that were damaged and rendered impassable due to scouring of slope protection at the approaches. Because of that, traffic was rerouted to Agusan del Sur-Surigao del Sur-Surigao del Norte route which entails 4-6 hours travel time; way longer than the 2-3 hours along the Daang Maharlika road. Moreover, transport of medical and other relief operations were hampered and economic activity of the province suffered greatly.
RD Delos Santos said that with the introduction of structural concrete of the slope protection and steel sheet pile on the foundation of Magtiaco Bridge and the revetment along the slope of Bangonay Bridge, both bridges are now strengthened to withstand stronger current of water with expectant debris during bad weather condition. Moreover, the completed parallel bridges will ensure continued flow of traffic on a four-lane way and alleviate strain on the old bridge structures as volume of traffic is now distributed.
Meanwhile, construction of the bridgesβ approaches are now on-going under the FY 2022 budget allocation and targeted to complete within the year.
(Source: Department of Public Works and Highways – Caraga Facebook page)
