One lane of Ayala Bridge closed for repairs

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has closed the southbound lane of Ayala Bridge for structural integrity repair, causing massive gridlock on streets near Malacañang Palace in Manila.

According to the DPWH National Capital Region office, the lane coming from the presidential palace has been closed since Monday for repair work that is expected to run two months.

Engineer Ric de Vera, bridge section head of DPWH Planning and Design Division, said the bridge is undergoing a major rehabilitation to ensure its structural integrity during possible earthquakes.

De Vera said the repair project, which has a permit from the Manila city government, is part of the DPWH earthquake preparation program to ensure the structural safety of all buildings and infrastructures all over the country especially in disasters.

"We are specifically concerned about this bridge because it has incurred small damage from barges that regularly pass under it." The bridge last underwent repair in September 2005.

However, he admitted they have yet to determine the actual rehabilitation plan for the bridge as "we are still checking on the damages if they could be repaired without demolishing the road."

De Vera said the rehabilitation project could last for two months or less, depending on the extent of damage they will discover on the 174-meter bridge.

Only the northbound lane leading to Malacañang is passable to two-way traffic.

Traffic on the bridge and connected streets is being managed by Manila District Traffic Enforcement Office. — Edu Punay