Ayala Bridge partially opened

MANILA, Philippines - After four days of being closed to vehicular traffic, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the Ayala Bridge was partially opened to light vehicles early yesterday morning.

Engineer Ric de Vera, of the DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) planning and design office, said that since 5 a.m. yesterday, one lane of the bridge in each direction was opened for light vehicles.

De Vera explained that the structure would remain partially open until Oct. 15, but contractor Frey-fil Corp. intends to “close it during weekends to give way to the post-tensioning works so it cannot carry any load.”

They have scheduled four weekends to fully close the bridge from 10 p.m. on Fridays until 5 a.m. on Mondays: Oct. 9 to Oct. 12; Oct. 16 to Oct. 19; Oct. 23 to Oct. 26; and Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

De Vera said they are targeting to fully open the top of the bridge by November in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, but they would continue to work below the bridge until Dec. 23.

Last Sunday, the contractor unilaterally closed the bridge at 10 a.m. and did not inform the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The closure caused heavy traffic in surrounding areas.

The contractor’s project consultant, Frenchman Alexandre Gros, earlier said that the dampers, which came from abroad, arrived last Saturday and they had to close the bridge to install the dampers and conduct post-tensioning works.

He apologized for closing the bridge without properly coordinating with the two government agencies.