The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has completed the replacement of Daguitan Bridge in Dulag town, Leyte province after four years of construction.

The DPWH announced Wednesday the completion of the project situated within the primary road that forms part of a nautical highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao.

This newly built bridge serves as a replacement for the old weak Daguitan Bridge from 50 years of use, said DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Allan Borromeo. The bridge foundation was damaged by massive flooding and destructive typhoons in the past.

“This bridge connects the town of Dulag to other parts of Leyte and Southern Leyte and is located along the province’s major thoroughfare, which makes it a vital infrastructure to motorists. This prompted the office to provide a more resilient bridge infrastructure that could provide enhanced mobility to the traveling public,” Borromeo said.

Along with the replacement process, the DPWH also modified the new infrastructure according to the latest DPWH standard specification and seismic design to withstand strong earthquakes.

The project started in May 2018 and was completed in August 2022 as weather disturbances delayed the construction of the bridge, according to DPWH.

Borromeo said the sturdier bridge has an increased carrying and discharge capacity to provide better service to all types of vehicles, including big cargo trucks.

The bridge replacement had an allocation of PHP195 million which covers the construction of a 192-meter new bridge adjacent to the existing bridge on the upstream side with a total carriageway width of 8.32 meters.

Other works include installation and painting of concrete railings, construction of slope protection, and partial embankment build-up on both approaches, among others. (PNA)