Govt to build Bailey bridge along damaged SCTEX section

Cherrie Regalado

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The Porac section of the expressway was damaged during the onslaught of tropical storm Maring

MANILA, Philippines — The government is mulling building a Bailey bridge along a damaged portion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to allow light vehicles to pass through.

State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is mulling building a Bailey bridge — a portable, pre-fabricated bridge — along the Porac section of SCTEX which was damaged during the onslaught of tropical storm Maring.

The section collapsed after a massive erosion of almost 10 hectares of land during heavy downpour.

BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano Casanova said engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are studying the installation of a bridge after a discussion with the DPWH secretary.

Because it’s portable, a Bailey bridge does not require special tools or heavy equipment to construct.

Casanova said the BCDA is committed to repairing the highway as soon as possible so motorists will no longer need to take alternate routes to get to Subic or Clark.

Safety of motorists main concern

DPWH said, “the safety and welfare of our countrymen is always our main concern, that is why the BCDA will make doubly sure that the repairs will proceed smoothly and quickly, and that temporary rerouting of vehicles will be done systematically. Getting SCTEX back to 100% is a top priority for the BCDA.”

Engr. Joshua Bingcang, BCDA project manager for SCTEX, added: “Together with DPWH, we have already an initial assessment of the damage and we have already come up with remedial measures to make sure that the closed segment will be open to motorists at the shortest possible time.”

The temporary closure of the Porac section has forced motorists to take alternative routes.

Motorists coming from Manila or Tarlac en route to Subic/Tipo should exit at the Clark South Interchange then take the Clark Friendship-Manibaug Road going to Porac Interchange. – Rappler.com

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