Cebu earthquake casualty

Only light vehicles allowed

to cross Causeway bridge

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, (PIA)—Ambassador Pablo Suarez Bridge, which connects Poblacion 1 in Tagbilaran City to Totolan in Dauis is closed to heavy vehicle traffic, notifies the Department of Public Works and Highways Bohol District 1, a day after the 5.7, later amended to 5.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu, in the evening of September 30.

The Ambassador Suarez Bridge (causeway bridge) connecting Tagbilaran City to Dauis and Panglao is strictly passable only to light vehicles. For safety reasons, buses, trucks and other heavy equipment are not allowed to cross the bridge, informs District Engr. John Paul Gascon.

Already bearing the whole load of daily passage of vehicles to and from the tourist towns of Dauis and Panglao, the bridge that was built in 1929, has considerably shown the wear and tear of daily passage that the tremor which was felt all over Bohol could have compromised its structural integrity.

In lieu of that bridge rendered impassable, motorists and heavy vehicles are then advised to take the Mansasa Tagbilaran to Poblacion Dauis (Jacinto-Castel-Borja Bridge).

Presently, there are two bridges comprising the Borja Bridge: the Jacinto Borja Bridge 1 (or the steel bridge) and the Jacinto Borja Bridge 2 (concrete bridge)

But even before the Cebu earthquake, the DPWH has temporarily closed due to some rehabilitation nd retrofitting works, according to the DPWH.

As such, motorists bound for Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran are advised to use the Jacinto Borja Bridge 2 as the designated two-way route, according to the district engineer.

Light vehicles may proceed without restriction, he added.

But, buses, trucks and heavy equipment will be allowed to cross the bridge one at a time, and are advised to wait for assistance before proceeding to cross, Engr Gascon instructed.

The DPWH has also installed directional signs and traffic advisories on site, while additional manpower has been deployed to assist and guide the travelling public.

During the emergency meeting which Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado called with the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council, Bohol Ditrict Engineering I reported two more bridges that showed minor damage during the earthquake.

DPWH DE1 through Engr Julius Caesar Cadao reported that Catigbian-Sagbayan (Borja Bridge) and Calape Panggangan Causeway Bridge has also been slightly affected. (PIABohol)

ALTERNATE CROSSING. Heavy vehicles crossing the only bridge opened for heavy loads in Borja (concrete) bridge have to be guided one at a time to lessen the load borne by the steel bridge. Light vehicles however have no problem crossing to and from Dauis. (PIAbohol)