By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—After a series of
postponement, the Laoag’s famous Gilbert Bridge finally began to undergo major
repairs on September 28, 2016.
Lasting up to November 11, 2016,
the Laoag City Traffic Division posted a public advisory that the northbound
lane will be closed from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am to
allow laborers to work even at night time. Then from November 12 to December
28 with the same time frame, the
southbound lane will also be closed in connection with the much needed repair
and rehabilitation of the old bridge.
The planned retrofitting
activity has been set as early as August this year but due to a series of big
events in the province, the Department of Public Works and Highways postponed
it.
In view of this, motorists
and commuters passing through the Gilbert Bridge, which serves as the “gateway”
to this city are advised to brace for traffic and take necessary precautions.
Worth P200 million and funded
as a priority project of the DPWH, the Werr Corporation International through a
joint venture with Viking Construction and Supply will retrofit the old Gilbert
Bridge to strengthen its foundation.
Constructed in 1884, the
Gilbert bridge was named after then Governor Newton Gilbert. Its present
structural design was intended to suit the demands of the time.
Motorists are advised to be
extra patient and bear with the temporary inconvenience until the bridge’s
repair will be completed the soonest possible time.
According to the DPWH Project
Engineer Angelito Dian, an epoxy mortar and a glass fiber will be utilized to
reinforce polymer coat on top and below the bridge deck.
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