MOTORISTS have been advised to take alternate routes as the rehabilitation of the Talomo 2 Bridge will undergo a three-month repair, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH-Davao spokesperson Dean Ortiz said Monday, April 8, that the bridge will be closed on April 14 due to the noticed visible cracks caused by the passage of trucks.
He said the rehabilitation costs around P90 million.
Ortiz said the timing of the rehabilitation will not have a huge traffic impact in the area.
"Gituyo nato karon kay ting bakasyon sa mga bata. (We intended to conduct bridge rehabilitation now because children are on summer vacation)," he said.
The DPWH official said the recommendation for rehabilitation was made last year, but was only materialized this year due to the needs for alternate routes.
On Sunday, April 7, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) posted the rerouting maps on its Facebook page.
Vehicles from Calinan are advised to take Barangay Talomo River, Magtuod-Tugbok Road then exit in Barangay Ma-a; vehicles from Tugbok area may pass through Barangay Biao Guianga, Magtuod-Tugbok Road, and exit at CP Garcia–J Rodriguez Road to Ma-a.
Vehicles from Mintal may traverse through Elenita Heights, Catalunan Grande and exit at CP Garcia Highway.
Those from Toril or Puan area may take Talomo Road, Ortiz Street, Mitra Compound, to Taal Street, then exit to Central Park or Matina Aplaya.
Those from Matina or Bangkal areas are advised to take Central Park, Cordillera Street, Taal Street, Bailey Bridge and exit to the Talomo or
Those from Buhangin-CP Garcia Highway may take Magtuod-Tugbok via Biao Escuela then exit in Tugbok or via Biao Joaquin then exit in Calinan area; vehicles from Quimpo Boulevard may pass through Matina Aplaya Relief Bridge to Cordillera Street, to Taal Street, to new Bailey Bridge; then exit at Talomo or Puan area.
However, the remaining Talomo Bridge I (the southbound bridge near the Coca Cola plant) and the additional bailey bridge are still open for both south- and northbound vehicles.
The bypass road from the Bangkal portion, the Diversion Road towards Catalunan Pequeno and Puan, remains open for vehicles, especially heavy trucks, Ortiz said.
CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude said Monday, April 8, that directional signs on affected areas were already posted last week.