Contractor Seeks Extension Of Leyte Bridge Rebuilding Project

The reconstruction of a bridge damaged by a destructive typhoon in 2014 was postponed anew as the contractor needs to acquire new machine.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leyte 2nd district engineering office said the contractor asked for a 30-day extension to rebuild the Hiagsam Bridge, pushing the completion date to mid of this year.

The machine has just arrived and is expected to hasten civil works of the bridge that almost collapsed when typhoon Seniang hit the region in 2014.

Hiagsam Bridge is within the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road and a vital structure that links northern Leyte, western Leyte, and Biliran province.

Veloso said that upon reconstruction of the bridge in June, a second bridge will be constructed just beside the old one, to complement the road widening project, heeding the directive of Secretary Rogelio Singson.

The second bridge is expected to be finished by end of this year with a funding of PHP38 million. Overall, the project would cost about PHP75 million. (PNA) FFC/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR