PIA Press Release
Tuesday, January 10, 2012

New bridge to enhance economic growth in Calasiao

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- A new bridge will soon rise in Calasiao, Pangasinan as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH1) held recently the groundbreaking ceremony of the Villamil Bridge.

The agency’s Regional Information Officer II Esperanza Tinaza said the construction of said bridge seeks to enhance economic growth and tourism development of the town, which is known to be the home of the Miraculous Senior Divino Tesoro and its production of the famous “White Gold” (Puto).

When completed, the bridge will link the towns of Calasiao, San Carlos City and Malasiqui in Pangasinan and will also serve as an alternate route to Manila and other eastern towns of the province.

District Engineer Marieta B. Mendoza of the Pangasinan Sub District Engineering Office said the construction of the Villamil bridge is under a Spanish-assisted DPWH Bridge Construction Replacement Project.

The two-lane bridge is under the contract Package I amounting to P118,244,522.59, which was divided into two-bridge projects – where P89,221,394.64 is allotted for Villamil Bridge and the Palali Bridge in Ilocos Sur amounting to P29,023,127.95

Villamil Bridge has a 7.30 meter carriageway and 0.76 meter sidewalk in both sides. It also has two abutments and three piers resting on bored pile foundations with two columns for each pier and wing walls at both abutments.

This superstructure, Mendoza said, will be made up of Centurion Modular Steel Girder Bridge with four steel girders at 25 meters span. The deck surface is a concrete slab with wearing surface of bituminous concrete.

Part of the package includes the road intersection approaches, slope protection works of the bridge, and installation of signages to ensure and improve safety of the public, Mendoza added.

Present during the event were Engineer Leonora Gomez, representative from the Office of PMO – Special Bridges Projects; Engr. Yolanda L. Tangco, Chief, Construction Division of the DPWH Regional Office; Vice Mayor Roy T. Macanlalay of the Local Government Unit of Calasiao; Pangasinan 3rd District Representative Ma. Rachel J. Arenas; the contractor - Foundation Specialist, Inc. from Makati City; and DPWH PAngasinan Sub-District Office staff headed by OIC District Engineer Mendoza and OIC Assistant District Engineer Aquilino M. Nicer. (PIA1 La Union with reports from DPWH 1)