FROM WOODS TO CONCRETE, PINES PARK BRIDGE OPENS TO PUBLIC

April 26, 2024 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

A relief to residents and visitors. After more than 50 years, Pines Park Bridge officially opened to the public made with concrete and permanent, passable by all kinds of vehicles not exceeding 15 tons of weight. The new concrete bridge, costing P77, 177, 507.92-M from people’s money and lobbied by Benguet Representative Eric Yap. through the Sustainable Infrastructure Project Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) fund. The replacement of the bridge was proposed by the local government of La Trinidad under Mayor Romeo Salda has a total length of 39.36 meters with 28cm concrete thickness and a total area of 188.40 sq.m.

‘Kasta unay iti ragsak ko ken dagiti residente idi nalukatan daytoy baro nga rangtay,’ Joseph Alan-ay said, a farmer and resident of Pines Park. The bridge is a two -way lane, however, due to right of way problems in the entrance
from the highway, it was opened only for one-way. However, local authorities assured the public that police enforcers will be dispatched regularly to oversee and manage the traffic in the area. Originally, the project had 319 calendar days to complete but the contract was later revised giving the project 435 calendar days, but only completed 504 calendar days in total to include months of extension mainly due to issues like obstructions at site, revisions of plans, and unworkable weather.

Engineer III Arnel Tanacio,Construction Chief of Benguet First Eng’g District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-CAR) , explained that one reason for the project’s delay are the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) posts that block the way of the bridge. He added that they waited for BENECO to clear up the electric posts before starting the construction. The project was under the joint venture of EGB Construction Corporation and Jaben General Contracting and Engineering Services. The entirety of Pines Park and some portions of Barangay Lubas were affected with the bridge repair. But through the help of the Municipal Office and the Barangay Captain of Balili, multiple consultations and orientations were done to address the problems of the people affected.

Shine Grace B. Estigoy-UB Intern/ABN