THE much-awaited new P60.4-million Mexico Bridge along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Mexico town, Pampanga has been formally opened for public traffic on Saturday, January 30, 2021, with top officials leading the inauguration.
Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Mayor Teddy Tumang and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pampanga 1st District Engineer Almer C. Miranda representing Central Luzon Director Roseller Tolentino led the inaugural rites.
The new Mexico Bridge connects Mexico to Pampanga’s economic epicenter, according to Miranda, whose office implemented the project.
"This bridge is very vital because Jose Abad Santos Avenue supports the province’s major road transportation network – Pampanga being known as Central Luzon’s main business hub, and Region III relies mainly upon road transport," Miranda said.
The DPWH, with the support of Gonzales and Tumang, worked together for the replacement of the bridge and all other structures in the region, Miranda added.
According to the DPWH, the replacement of the dilapidated bridge is crucial and was made sturdier and can carry heavier loads, as the Jasa is one of Pampanga's major arterial roads with an annual average daily traffic of almost 30,000 vehicles.
With Jasa as a major link to the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bataan and Zambales and the daily volume of motorists, the DPWH anticipated early deterioration of the roads, especially with the unregulated or self-regulation of load limits of heavy vehicles.
Miranda thanked Kapampangans for the realization of this project, vowing to preserve and maintain the integrity and usability of the New Mexico Bridge, a critical component of Pampanga’s infrastructure.
The blessing of the bridge was officiated by Reverend Father Arnie Serrano, parish priest of Mexico town.