THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has urged truck operators to follow the 33-metric ton load limit regardless of the truck axle configuration.
Heavy trucks passing through the Ilog Bakod Bridge in San Miguel in Bulacan province were reminded by the agency to adhere to the restriction.
DPWH issued the statement after receiving complaints that trucks loaded with construction materials are prohibited from passing through the bridge even though the load requirement has been met.
The damaged pavements of the said structure require immediate restoration and the DPWH Bulacan 2nd District Engineering has been undertaking bridge rehabilitation works since Aug. 5 with the Local Government of San Miguel and the San Miguel Municipal Police Station managing the traffic.
The agency said overloaded trucks coming from the Cagayan Valley Region are not aware of the new load restriction. This contributed to traffic jams in San Miguel, according to the agency.
DPWH officials said the load limit was imposed to ensure that the bridge would not suffer further damage while the rehabilitation is underway.
The Ilog Bakod Bridge in Bulacan and Apalit Section of the Manila North Road in Pampanga were seriously damaged by the passage of overloaded trucks.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda implemented a moratorium on quarrying in the province.
He also banned overloaded trucks and urged national government agencies to intensify enforcement of the Anti-Overloading Act to protect roads and bridges in the province.
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation also intensified the implementation of the anti-overloading policy due to the ongoing renovation of the southbound lane of Candaba Viaduct.
Heavy vehicles with more than 33 tons of load are diverted to in Daang Maharlika and Manila North Road.
The DPWH Regional Office III is scheduled to meet with local officials from the City of Gapan in Nueva Ecija to request their cooperation in barring the entry of overloaded trucks headed to San Miguel.
The repair of the Ilog Bakod Bridge is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.