CAMALANIUGAN, Cagayan (PIA) - - The much-awaited Mega Bridge in Cagayan linking the town of Aparri and Camalaniugan is anticipated to kick off as DPWH Secretary
Mark Villar led the ceremonial ground breaking of the P2.4-billion bridge and road network project on Friday.
The bridge construction across Cagayan River consists of a road network with 18 spans by 55 meters at Approach A located in Aparri West side and 2 spans by 55 meters at Approach B in Camalaniugan side.
It includes a 480-meter Cable Stayed Main Bridge in between consisting of 2 spans by 82.50 meters and 2 spans by 157.50 meters summing to a length of 1,580 meters. It involves the construction of bridge approaches with a length of 467 meters at Approach “A” and 119 meters at Approach “B”. Both abutments and piers rest on bored pile technology.
During the ceremony, Villar said that the bridge will spur socio-economic development and increase productivity in the affected areas alleviating the living condition of the populace as well as to improve and provide direct access to and between outlying Barangays, Municipalities, and Provinces.
With its aesthetic design, the new iconic bridge from the 'Build Build Build' program of President Rodrigo Duterte is foreseen to provide tourism boost in Cagayan as it will be one of the uniquely designed bridges in the country.
For her part, Regional Director Loreta M. Malaluan said that the department is looking forward to provide further convenience for motorists featuring a better transport facility.
“This project is seen to be a crucial infrastructure as it will provide an alternate route, being the only bridge that crosses Cagayan River on the Northern most part of Cagayan," Malaluan said.
The Mega Bridge which is under the Multi-Year Contractual Authority (MYCA) from FY 2018 to FY 2022 will reduce travel time between Aparri, Cagayan and Ballesteros, Cagayan from 1 hour 30 minutes to 30-45 minutes and it will benefit 6,000 travelers per day.
Meanwhile, Villar also inspected the Build Back Better (BBB) dredging projects together with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and local officials at Barangay Bangag in Lal-lo as he ensures the rehabilitation and dredging activities is in successful state.
The BBB is part of the Cagayan River Restoration program to mitigate massive flooding in Cagayan. (MDCT/ PIA Cagayan/ With reports from DPWH)
