LOOK: P459-million Pigalo Bridge opens in Isabela

MANILA, Philippines – The new Pigalo Bridge in the province of Isabela, which cost P459 million to build, is now open.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inaugurated the 450-meter-long bridge on Thursday, June 6.

The bridge crosses the Cagayan River and serves as a “vital link” between the municipalities of Angadanan and San Guillermo in Isabela, and to other municipalities in the province.

“With this bridge, travel time between the [municipalities] of Angadanan and San Guillermo will be shortened by 30 minutes, thus promoting faster and easier transport of goods and services,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said in a statement.

“The best asset of this new mega bridge is that it will provide direct access for residents in outlying barangays while at the same time, ensuring safe and convenient travel for both locals and tourists,” he added.

The DPWH said the new Pigalo Bridge replaces “the old and dilapidated structure” destroyed by Typhoon Pedring (Nesat) and Typhoon Quiel (Nalgae) in 2011.

“Durability and ease of transportation is no question. Although the bridge was completed last March, we continued to improve the integrity of the structure due to the anticipated high volume of heavy vehicles that are expected to pass through the bridge on a daily basis,” Villar said.

The DPWH expects the bridge to help facilitate the delivery of agricultural products “from far-flung areas to big commercial hubs” in Cagayan Valley. – Rappler.com