Dizon orders safety check, retrofitting of old CamSur bridges

BAAO, CAMARINES SUR — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has ordered the inspection and retrofitting of old bridges along the Maharlika Highway in Camarines Sur to ensure their structural stability and safety.

Dizon issued the directive Thursday after inspecting the Daang Maharlika Highway and checking the progress of road projects and the condition of bridges along the major thoroughfare.

Among the bridges he inspected was the San Francisco Bridge in the municipality of Baao, which forms part of the Maharlika Highway, a major transport route linking Luzon with the Visayas and Mindanao.

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“These are the old bridges. I just wanted to make sure of their stability. So far, the maintenance work is good, but we need to be sure of their condition,” Dizon told reporters.

“We have seen bridges all over the country giving way. This should not happen because it would affect not only the economy of Bicol but also Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” he said.

Dizon said he had assured Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. that the bridges would undergo retrofitting as part of the rehabilitation of the Maharlika Highway.

He also said the Department of Public Works and Highways had addressed potholes and other road problems along the Andaya Highway, improving travel conditions and reducing travel time for motorists.

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Camarines Sur 5th District Rep. Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte said bypass roads in Nabua, Baao and Iriga City could serve as alternate routes if traffic needed to be diverted during work on the Maharlika Highway.

The alternate roads would also help ease congestion by providing motorists with other routes, he said.

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“We want convenience for every motorist, so we make sure that alternate roads are available and accessible with the improvement of the Maharlika Highway,” Villafuerte said.

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Dizon also said the DPWH was addressing flooding problems in Camarines Sur./coa