‘P486-M Abusag Bridge in Cagayan underway’
Credit to Author: LEANDER C. DOMINGO, TMT| Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2019 17:34:40 +0000
BAGGAO, Cagayan: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 2 has started construction of the P486-million Abusag Bridge in Barangay San Jose to help villagers isolated during typhoons and heavy downpour.
Wilson Valdez, DPWH Region 2 information officer, said the agency’s construction operations were already in progress for the bridge project that would grant the public accessibility “even in times of floods as it will be a more safe, resilient and durable elevated bridge compared to the old overflow structure.”
“The Abusag Bridge will facilitate faster and easier transport to nearby and outlying barangay (villages) and will solve the struggle of the inner village residents in Baggao town who have always experienced being isolated in times of typhoons and heavy rains,” Valdez said.
The high impact 511-meter bridge is being implemented by the DPWH-Regional Office 2 at a total contract cost of P486,712,455.870. It contains 17 spans with a carriageway width of 7.32 meters, including a total of 686.454-meter road on both sides of the approaches.
Valdez said the construction of the bridge would serve as a significant infrastructure linking the town of Baggao to other municipalities.
“It will provide convenience in transporting agricultural and commercial products from the countryside to major economic hubs in urban areas and other neighboring provinces of Cagayan,” he said, adding that, since the bridge is along Baybayog-Baggao-Dalin-Santa Margarita road, it would provide the public better and faster access to schools, health facilities and trade establishments.
The Department of Tourism-Region 2 said that once it is completed, the bridge will also boost and encourage interest for emerging tourist destinations like the Blue Water Cave and Valley Cove in Baggao town.