DPWH: Isabela bridge that collapsed designed for light vehicles

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The Department of Public Works and Highways is 'trying to engage' a third party to determine the cause of the collapse

MANILA, Philippines – A truck that weighed about 102 tons may have overstressed the P1.2-billion Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge in Isabela and caused its collapse, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.

In a televised interview, the DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the bridge — which was only opened to the public in February — was initially meant for light vehicles. He said it had design loading parameters that could accommodate only up to 44 tons.

“Meron namang signages dun sa magkabilang dulo ng tulay na only light vehicles are allowed for the time being and trucks are not allowed for now kasi ‘yung mga ginagawang additional works ay hindi pa nate-test,” Bonoan told TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Wednesday, March 5.

(There were signages on both ends of the bridge that said only light vehicles are allowed for the time being and trucks are not allowed for now because the additional works being conducted have yet to be tested.)

A 60-meter part of the bridge’s Cabagan side collapsed at around 8 pm on February 27 after a dump truck with boulders was crossing it, according to the DPWH’s Cagayan Valley Office. The bridge’s hanger rods, which should have acted as a support for the bridge, also collapsed due to the weight.

Bonoan said there were three trucks with boulders onboard that passed through that evening and the collapse happened when the second one attempted to pass. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, citing Bonoan in a briefing on Wednesday, said that the firms behind the trucks may be held liable.

There were six people who got injured, including a minor who also happens to be a cancer survivor.

The DPWH suspects that it was not the first time trucks crossed the bridge to reach Santa Maria.

It took almost a decade to construct the P1.2-billion bridge. It was designed by a local consulting firm, R.D. Interior Junior Construction, which has projects in areas beyond Cagayan Valley and even overseas.

According to Bonoan, initial construction started in late 2014. It was built in segments and was retrofitted in 2018 to accommodate earthquake design parameters before it was finished in 2024.

The DPWH is currently “trying to engage” a third party to determine the cause of the collapse. The department is also looking into the quality of materials used for the bridge.

“Although the President has not given me a specific timeline, he said we have to undertake expeditiously the technical investigation and so that we can schedule what type have rehabilitation that we have to do at the earliest possible time so that the public can use the bridge,” Bonoan said in mixed English and Filipino. – Rappler.com