Leyte Bridge Destroyed by Seniang Now Passable

Tacloban City (PNA) -– The Leyte Second Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 2nd LED) has fast tracked the construction of a detour bridge that would temporarily serve vehicles and commuters crossing the Hiagsam Bridge in Jaro, Leyte.

The Hiagsam Bridge is among four bridges in Leyte’s second district damaged during storm Seniang that struck Leyte and other parts of the country two days before the New Year.

One the bridge’s pier collapsed rendering it impassable to heavy vehicles except for single motorcycles, while people wanting to cross the bridge were made to walk across it. The damage caused inconvenience among passengers, commuters and transportation passing the Palo-Carigara-Ormoc road.

Before a detour bridge was set up, vehicles were advised to use the Carigara-Barugo road or the Barugo-Babatngon route in going to Tacloban City or Ormoc City areas.

According to 2nd LED District Engineer Carlos Veloso, the construction of the detour bridge, designed as spillway type, was fast tracked in order to minimize inconvenience among bigger and heavier vehicles.

It was opened to the public on January 15, just in time for the influx of pilgrims for the Papal Visit to Tacloban and Palo on January 17.

However, vehicles to use the detour bridge are limited to only 5 tons. The detour bridge cost more than Php2.2 million, it was learned.

Meanwhile, Veloso said the Hiagsam Bridge will have to be fully rehabilitated according to modern specifications that would make it resilient to typhoon and flash floods. He disclosed that the bridge is a “bit old” which was constructed in the 60s. The heavy volume of rain downpoured during typhoon Senyang caused the bridge to collapse, the district engineer added.

The storm caused flooding and landslides and rendered several roads impassable in Leyte and Samar. However, alternative routes were immediately made available by the district engineering office. (PNA) FFC/SQM/AHLETTE C. REYES/JSD