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DPWH investigating partial collapse of P1.2-billion bridge in Isabela
The Department of Public Works and Highways is investigating the collapse of a portion of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela on Thursday night.
In a statement, the DPWH in Cagayan Valley (Region 2) said the third span of the bridge from the Cabagan side fell at 8 p.m. after a dump truck carrying boulders–said to weigh 102 tons–passed.
“Further analysis on the cause of failure is still ongoing, and DPWH Region 2 has requested experts from the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction in the Central Office to conduct further evaluation and assessment,” it said.
According to the DPWH, the bridge had a total project cost of P1,225,537,087.92 "covering both the bridge and its approaches." Its construction began in November 2014 and was completed a little over a year ago on February 1, 2024.
The department said the bridge spanned 990 meters, consisting of 12 arch bridge spans of 60 meters each, and nine pre-stressed concrete girder (PSCG) spans. The approaches total 664.10 linear meters in length.
The DPWH identified the contractor as R.D. Interior, Jr. Construction. GMA News Online is trying to get its comment on the incident and will publish it as soon as it is available.
In a "24 Oras" report by Joseph Morong, DPWH said the bridge was retrofitted in March 2023 to reinforce certain parts by the updated design code of the department. However, this does not necessarily mean that there were issues with its original design.
“Ang main reason ng retrofitting natin is to additional strengthening para sa earthquake effect po,” said DPWH Officer In Charge and Regional Director Matias Malenab.
(The main reason for our retrofitting is to provide additional strengthening against the effects of earthquakes.)
But it seems that the bridge could not withstand the excessive weight of the passing truck, said the DPWH, as the truck weighed 102 tons—almost double the 45-ton maximum capacity set by law for any bridge in the country.
“So ang ginawa natin ngayon, sir, yung batong mismo, pina-test natin para makuha natin yung actual specific gravity ng boulders mismo, para totoo po siya,” Malenab added.
(So what we did, sir, was to have the actual rocks tested to determine the specific gravity of the boulders, ensuring accurate results.)
Two sports utility vehicles and a scooter crossing the bridge were damaged.
An eight-year-old cancer survivor suffered a broken leg and required surgery at a hospital, while five others sustained injuries.
“Nabalian po ng binti. The rest ay minor injuries lang naman po—cuts and bruises,” said Atty. Constante Foronda of the Isabela PDRRMC.
(The leg was fractured. The rest only sustained minor injuries—cuts and bruises.)
It was earlier reported that the driver of the dump truck was missing, but according to authorities,he had already surrendered to the Cabagan police.–NB, GMA Integrated News
