One of the two lanes of the controversial Sombria Bridge at the Tagbilaran City-Cortes boundary, which has drawn flak from motorists for the bottleneck its rehabilitation has caused, has been opened as construction of the infrastructure nears completion.
Francis Flores, chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ 1st District Engineering Office, said that the opening of the lane has reduced traffic congestion in the area, particularly at the detour beside the under-construction bridge.
According to Flores, the roadway itself is already at 80 percent completion and is set to be fully open by October. Additional features such as the slope protection however will take longer to complete.
“Naa pay lain items kanang outside sa karsada, sa mga slope protection, kana karon naa pa na sa mga 60 percent,” said Flores.
Construction of the infrastructure, particularly its bridge approach at the Tagbilaran side, was hampered due to soft soil in the area. Authorities had earlier explained that they had to drive piles and dig deep enough to provide a sturdy foundation support for the bridge approach.
Flores said that the issue has already been addressed.
The P50-million bridge project, which is implemented by the national government through the DPWH, drew the ire of the riding public due to its muddy and narrow detour which causes traffic congestion and is almost impassable when hit by rains.
The Sombria Bridge serves as main gateway for motorists travelling from Tagbilaran City to the towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Loon, Tubigon and Calape, and vice versa.
Rehabilitation of the quake-hit bridge itself has been completed but the construction of the bridge approach at the Tagbilaran side is yet to be completed.
The DPWH had earlier appealed for public understanding on the inconvenience caused by the ongoing construction of the bridge approach as it is located on top of soft soil.