The construction work on the new bridge in Masantol, Pampanga, worth PHP566.6 million, is 88 percent complete, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported Saturday.

Undersecretary Emil Sadain reported the construction progress of the Pampanga Delta Bridge Project to Secretary Manuel Bonoan after inspecting the structure on Friday.

Sadain called the bridge a crucial component of infrastructure development that would promote economic growth in the municipalities of Masantol and Macabebe in Pampanga and Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Malolos City in Bulacan.

“At present, these municipalities are exchanging trades through long routes passing Apalit, Pampanga,” he said in a statement.

The project involves the construction of a concrete deck bridge made of five spans of steel box girders supported by four piers and two abutments resting on bored piles of two 1.5-meter diameter at both abutments and six 1.8-meter diameter at piers.

Once completed, the bridge will stimulate investment and growth with better connectivity for Masantol and Macabebe, known as Pampanga’s center of aquaculture development with the fastest growing food-producing activity on the northern coast of Manila Bay having hectares of fishponds for shrimps, bangus, tilapia and crabs.

He noted that there were disruptions on the advancement of work brought about by the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid)-19 pandemic.

During the inspection, the DPWH official together with Unified Project Managent Office – Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) Project Director Rodrigo Delos Reyes witnessed the launching of one segment of girder at span pier 3 to pier 4 using specialized construction equipment like a floating crane.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2023. (PNA)