Three years after the Wawa Bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan collapsed partially due to overloading, construction of a two-way temporary bridge is now underway to ease traffic and connect residents.

In October 2022, a 12-wheeler truck and an ELF truck weighing 63.3 tons caused the collapse of Wawa Bridge, which had a load capacity of only 20 tons.

Following the incident, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) installed a one-way Bailey bridge to accommodate light vehicles temporarily.

The new temporary bridge, with a width of eight meters and a load capacity of five tons, is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025.

"We hope to finish it before March 31 because the target of the groundbreaking will be on March 31, which is also the start of our fiesta," Atty. Rodelynn Rajini Vidad, Bayambang Municipal Administrator, said.

Once the temporary bridge is operational, DPWH and the winning contractor will begin constructing a permanent bridge in April 2025.

The national government has allocated P300 million for Phase 1 of the project, which is expected to take two years to complete.

For residents, the new bridge is a much-needed relief.

“Yung two-way (lane), siyempre, salubong ang mga sasakyan, para iwas-traffic, ganon lang,” Jonald Vistro, a resident, said.

The local government conducted a public consultation with residents of Barangays Wawa and San Vicente to discuss the construction project to ensure minimal disruption to their daily lives.