The newly-reconstructed Tabang Bridge which directly connects the North Luzon Expressway to Manila North Road and the Cagayan Valley Road was formally opened to the public on Tuesday.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office said motorists will no longer have to endure heavy traffic and dilapidated alternative road routes as the reconstruction of the 40-year-old bridge is finished amid some unavoidable delays.

Henry Alcantara, district engineer of the DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO during an interview, said the delay in the opening of the bridge was due to the heavy rains caused by typhoon Fabian which struck the country in July.

“The initial scheduled completion was supposed to be Aug. 15, but due to the continuous heavy rains, the activities were suspended and we’re forced to halt the operation. Isa pang nakaapekto sa proyekto ay ang suspension ng trabaho dahil (One of the factors that affected the project is the suspension of work because) of the global pandemic, particularly during the height of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ),” Alcantara said.

He added that another cause of delay was the ongoing North-South Railway project under the Tabang Bridge as well as the changes made in design due to footing obstruction and waterline utilities.

Erning Dauz, chief of the DPWH Maintenance Division, said the reconstruction of the bridge started in January this year with a total cost of PHP31 million. The 25-meter long and 18-meter wide bridge now has four lanes.

“Eto po bubuksan na natin itong Tabang Bridge. Sa abalang nagawa, ako na po ang humihingi ng paumanhin. Isang malapad at bagong tulay para sa mga Bulakenyo (Here, we are going to open the Tabang Bridge. I apologize for the delay. A wide and new bridge for the Bulakenyos),” Alcantara said. (PNA)