The repair of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge, also known as the Wawa Bridge, in Pangasinan is set to commence this quarter. The bridge, which spans 442 meters along the Camiling-Wawa-Bayambang-Malasiqui-Sta. Barbara Road, suffered a collapse in October 2022 due to the passage of two overloaded trucks carrying fertilizer and sand, resulting in injuries to four individuals.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos Region has allocated PHP300 million for the project in the 2024 national budget. The scope of work includes the construction of a detour road, foundation works, and the demolition of the existing bridge. The procurement process and project initiation occurred in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a public consultation held on January 22 of this year.
The completion of the bridge is contingent upon the timely release of funds. The bridge, constructed in 1945, serves as a vital link between Pangasinan and Tarlac, facilitating travel for motorists, including commuter buses to and from the National Capital Region. It had a load limit of 20 tons, which was exceeded by the trucks involved in the collapse.
Following the incident, a temporary bailey bridge with a five-ton load limit was installed, allowing light vehicles to resume crossing the bridge two weeks later. The bailey bridge operates as one-way traffic, with vehicles required to maintain a 20-meter distance from each other. Vehicles weighing over five tons must use alternate routes, which are longer than the usual Camiling-Bayambang route.
These alternate routes include the Bocboc Bridge-Mangatarem route and vice versa for the Bayambang-Aguilar-San Carlos road, the Carmen Junction-Manat Road (National Road), and the Rosales-Tarlac route, which involves the Bayambang-Bautista-Alcala-Sto. Tomas-Carmen, Rosales Road/Manila North Road and vice versa.
The bridge’s collapse has affected six villages in Bayambang located on the opposite side, necessitating the installation of the bailey bridge. Bayambang town mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis Jose Quiambao announced plans for a second temporary bridge to be constructed earlier to manage daily traffic before the demolition and reconstruction of the permanent bridge.
Mayor Quiambao emphasized the collaborative efforts with the DPWH and other government offices to ensure meticulous planning, timeline, design, and engineering for a permanent bridge that will be sturdy, resilient, and well-fortified.