By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Paoay, Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Ilocos Norte Engineering District (INED) II advised that the construction of the Sawang Bridge replacement in this town is still ongoing.
DPWH-INED II district engineer Mathias Malenab said the PHP30 million first release of the Sawang Bridge fund began in 2017 and continues up to present. He is hoping the additional funding for its completion will be released soon. He estimated the additional funding at less than PHP20 million.
The bridge construction was delayed by the transfer of powerlines from the old, existing bridge to the new bridge. DPWH has completed the said transfer.
He explained that the 45-meters bridge is located just beside the old Sawang Bridge, which is still operational and open to small type of vehicles.
Earlier, DPWH-INED II temporarily closed the said bridge from 9 am to 5 pm on April 16, 2019 to launch the 40 meters type VI pre-stressed concrete girder (PSCG) at Sawang Bridge.
North and south bound were advised to take the Manila North Road (MNR), while those going to población Paoay were advised to take the MNR via Batac-Paoay Road.
After the launch, Mr. Malenab said the bridge is 70 percent complete.