Overloaded trucks caused bridge to collapse – DPWH
By J.Lo
“The condition of the bridge is fair, meaning there are no visible major defects,” the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Ilocos reported Carlos P. Romulo Bridge formerly Wawa Bridge in Barangay Wawa, Bayambang, Pangasinan collapsed due to overloading.
A portion of the bridge came apart on October 20 at around 4 in the afternoon when dump truck loaded with sand and an Isuzu Elf truck loaded with fertilizer traversed southbound lane of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge at the same time.
The trucks, both heading to Camiling in Tarlac, fell 30 feet down with portion of the bridge.
Drivers and passengers of both trucks sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Bayambang District Hospital for medical treatment. They are now in stable condition.
Col. Jeff Fanged, officer in charge of Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, identified, injured as Roger Solomon, driver of the Elf truck and its passenger Cesario Del Rosario, both of Barangay Bobon 2nd, Camiling, Tarlac.
The dump truck driver was identified as Richard Pecson, 32, of Barangay San Vicente, San Jacinto, Pangasinan, and his passenger Ronico Yanes, 23, of Barangay Lasip, Lingayen, Pangasinan.
In a statement, DPWH Ilocos Regional Director Ronnel Tan said the two overloaded vehicles caused bridge to collapse.
He said bridge, constructed in 1945, has load limit of 20 tons, but the two trucks , 12-wheeler dump truck and six-wheeler Elf truck weighed about 63.3 tons and six tons, respectively.
The maintenance crew of Pangasinan Fourth District Engineering Office immediately placed necessary warning signs to inform motorists and pedestrians plying the route, he said.
“A bailey bridge that will serve as temporary route will be installed in two weeks’ time,” he stressed.
In the meantime, all motorists are advised to use Bayambang-San Carlos-Aguilar Road via Bocboc Bridge-Mangatarem, and vice versa as an alternate route while former Wawa Bridge is being repaired.
Motorists can also take Carmen Junction-Manat Road (National Road), take Bayambang-Bautista-Alcala-Sto. Tomas-Carmen, Rosales Road,Manila North Road (Rosales-Tarlac), and vice versa.
Bayambang Mayor Mary Clare Judith Phyllis “Niña” Jose-Quiambao advised students of Bayambang National High School, Wawa Elementary School, Bayambang Central School, and Pangasinan State University to be excused from physical classes and have online classes while bridge is under repair.
“For those who have their water supply cut off, please be advised that Bayambang Water District is already in the area trying to fix the line and provide temporary water,” the mayor said.
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