‘Longest bridge’ linking MP,Ilocos Sur 99 % done: DPWH

CANDON, Ilocos Sur -- The long-awaited completion of the Aluling Bridge, which crosses the Abra River to link Cervantes, Ilocos Sur with Tadian, Mountain Province, is nearly done.

Acting DPWH assistant regional firector Samson L. Hebra said construction of the Aluling Bridge – tagged euphemistically by the DPWH as the “longest bridge in the Philippines” because of the length of time of its implementation – is now 99.1-percent complete.

Started in 1978 during the Marcos administration, the 180.00-lineal meter (lm) bridge constructed along the Suyo-Cervantes-Sabangan Road, will finally see completion 35 years later in the Aquino administration.

Last March 16, DPWH Sec. Rogelio L. Singson inspected the final stages of its construction said the project took a long period of time in constructing of because of the hardness of the soil strata underneath the riverbed.

The original plan involved using five spans of Reinforced Concrete Deck Girder type of bridge which was funded on staggered basis.

In 1990, the work accomplished was damaged due to rampaging flood water then in 1999, funds were released for the construction of a new bridge on another alignment upstream. -- LBJ