Photo credit: Department of Public Works and Highways
The countdown to the long-awaited day for the full opening to vehicular traffic of the newly built iconic bridge in Loay, Bohol has come to an end.
In his report to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Acting Secretary Roger G. Mercado, Undersecretary and Build Build Build Program Chief Implementer Emil K. Sadain said that the new Clarin Bridge across Loboc River designed as a nielsen arch superstructure spanning 104 meters has been fully opened for both traffic direction to the motoring public effective Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Undersecretary Sadain, in-charge of DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations together with Consulate General of Japan in Cebu Hideki Yamaji; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Representative Kenji Kuronuma; Bohol Governor Arthur C. Yap; Bohol 3rd District Representative Congresswoman Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor; and Loay Mayor Hilario L. Ayuban led the ceremonial unveiling of marker of the new resilient bridge under the JICA-assisted Road Upgrading/Improvement Component of the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP).
Other key personalities that participated at the inauguration ceremony are DPWH Undersecretary Maximo L. Carvajal; Assistant Secretary Wilfredo S. Mallari; Project Director Benjamin A. Bautista and Project Manager Franscisco Sawali of UPMO - Roads Management Cluster I (UPMO-RMC 1); Bureau of Design Director Edwin Matanguihan; Bureau of Construction Director Aristarco Doroy; Region 7 Director Edgar Tabacon and Assistant Director Mario Montejo; Project Manager Luis Paredes; Project Engineer Bernardo Austria; Bohol District Engineers Magiting A. Cruz, Vicente R. Valle Jr., and Godofredo R. Laga Jr.; and other local government officials of Bohol.
Costing ₱501.87-million, Clarin Bridge is part of the Bohol Circumferential Road and will serve an important role in the mobility of goods and people and provide greater access to the tourism sites of Bohol Province.
Economic development in the area will surely surge from improved transport of goods and services and more local and foreign tourists visiting the wonders of Bohol.
The bridge has an approach road at Abutment “A” of 209 meters and at Abutment “B” of 217 meters with enhancement of landscape and protection work to be done near the bank of Loboc River, one of Bohol’s major tourism destination.
Undersecretary Sadain said the new bridge is another thread of friendship linking Philippines and Japan steady and long-term development of meaningful bilateral cooperation.
For over decades, the time-tested cooperation of the Philippines and Japan has brought so much development in the country.
On behalf of Secretary Mercado, allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the representatives of the Government of Japan led by the Consul – General Yamaji and JICA Philippines Senior Representative Kenji Kuronuma for letting your presence grace this ceremonial groundbreaking, added Undersecretary Sadain.
Although challenged by a global pandemic that hampered project progress in general, the completion of new Clarin Bridge is a timely response to address the urgent need for a safer and sturdier replacement for decades-old structure especially those affected by recent calamities.
Construction of Clarin Bridge consist of 12 pieces bored piles 1,200-millimeter diameter each abutment in a new alignment; reinforced concrete deck slab with asphalt concrete pavement overlay and reinforced concrete sidewalk with metal railings at bridge; and miscellaneous structures and lighting works.
The approach road was laid with bituminous asphalt concrete pavement with installed metal beam guardrail on reinforced concrete posts; and provision of service roads no. 1 and 2 with 230-millimeter-thick portland concrete cement pavement.
Implemented by DPWH UPMO-RMC1, the project was undertaken by joint venture contractor Vicente T. Lao Construction and PT Wijaya Karya TBK.
Article courtesy of Department of Public Works and Highways
