Panguil Bridge in Mindanao is now 61% complete

MANILA: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the construction of the longest sea-crossing bridge in Northern Mindanao is now 61% complete.

The P7.3-billion Panguil Bay Bridge project, which will connect Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod town in Lanao del Norte, is being constructed under the supervision of DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain. During the inspection he conducted on Wednesday, Sadain promised to complete the project by December next year.

According to Sadain, the project, which started in February 2020, is part of DPWH’s ongoing Build Better More Program.

The project is funded by a loan agreement between the Philippine government and Korean Export Import Bank.

In a statement, Sadain said that the project not only reflects a long dream come true of the people of Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental but a defining moment showcasing how the design and construction of a modern bridge with sea offshore excavation depth of up to more than 50 meters has evolved.

The construction began after the full completion of all 54 bored piling works to allow the commencement of construction of the 36 abutments and pier column, 32 coping, and start on both ends at Tubod and Tangub City the incremental launching method (ILM) for the superstructure.

While construction by about 336 manpower happens round-the-clock to finish the project by December 2023, the bridge construction was hindered during this last quarter of 2022 by the frequently rainy weather and strong currents of Panguil Bay.

The construction of the bridge has also been delayed due to the work restrictions implemented by the government at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Sadain remains confident that they will finish the project within the target period.

Once completed, Panguil Bay Bridge will cut the travel time between Lanao Del Norte and Misamis Occidental from two hours to only seven minutes.

Photo from Department of Public Works and Highways

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