La Trinidad, Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda has requested the contractor of the Pines Park Bridge in Km. 4, Balili to assign more workers to fasttrack its construction.
Salda said he was told the contractors target to finish the P77 million worth project by yearend.
“We appeal to the contractor if they are to reach their target, they have to add more manpower to fast track its construction,” Salda said.
Contractors EGB Construction Corporation/Jaben General Contracting and Engineering Services have set up a temporary footbridge for the residents to use.
Salda has asked the residents to extend their patience as the footbridge is narrow, which causes foot traffic at times at both ends of the bridge.
From the bridge’s original timeline of completion on Oct. 24, the project was extended for another 60 days.
The Benguet First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways earlier reported the project extensions are allowed as long as the contractors present justifiable reasons on the need to extend the project.
Earlier, the DPWH said the fabrication of the steel components of the bridge, which needed to be imported from China, caused the delay in the construction.
From the one-way lane and two sidewalk lanes of the old Pines Park Bridge, the new design for the bridge would include a six-meter two-way lane, with pedestrian lanes on both sides having one meter each.
The length would be at 38 meters and would also have streetlights. The bridge, which started construction on Oct. 11, 2022, will be concreted and overlaid with asphalt. – Ofelia C. Empian
