THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formally opened the newly constructed P283-million General Alejo Santos Bridge recently.
The 284.80 linear meter bridge connects the towns of Baliwag and Bustos in the province of Bulacan.
“We have reconstructed and strengthened the General Alejo Bridge that can now accommodate a maximim of 20-ton load limit of trucks, including all types of vehicles. The old bridge allowed only five tons limited access of vehicles. But now, our engineers have adjusted sidewalk width from 1.10 to 1.50 meters, installed streetlights to ensure the safety of motorists passing through the bridge especially at night time,” DPWH regional director Roseller Tolentino said.
Tolentino said the bridge has been prioritized due to its weak condition.
The DPWH, in a statement, said newly improved bridge structure is seen to pave the way for the sustainability of the economy of the two towns of Bustos and Baliwag and the adjacent municipalities. Likewise it is expected to generate additional employment and improved tourism for the province.
“The regional office is bent to pursue the interconnectivity of province to province, and soon region to region, which has been the ambitious thrust of Secretary Mark Villar in pursuit of the continuing success of the Build Build Build mantra of the DPWH,” according to Tolentino.