BULAKAN, Bulacan–An old provincial bridge in this town was ordered closed on Wednesday due to found damages, officials said.
Motorists bound to Tabang Guiguinto going to Metro Manila via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and other Bulacan areas via MacArthur, Maharlika and DRT Highway and vise versa are rerouted to Balubad-Tibig road following the temporarily closure of Balubad-Maysantol bridge, also known historically as Caragdag bridge.
Municipal engineer Emmie Fernando said shallow portions on the side left approach of the bridge coming from the town going to Guiguinto was found by residents and barangay officials.
Erosion in the riverbanks also affect the bottom areas of both the wall sides of the bridge, Fernando added.
According to the municipal engineer, the office of the Bulacan Provincial Engineering Office in City of Malolos had inspected the bridge and found the same damages.
She said the municipal board of Bulakan has already passed a resolution that would seek the help and assistance of concern government agencies for the repair of the bridge.
Maysantol Barangay Captain Noel Macalinao told NEWS CORE that the main bridge portion remain sturdy and only the one side approach portion has damages.
Macalinao expressed concern the bridge closure would affect the daily routes of the people of Bulakan town working in Metro Manila and other areas in and out of Bulacan because the Maysantol- Balubad-Tabang bridge is the main, easiest and fastest route to NLEX, MacArthur highway and Maharlila and DRT highway.
Other than the Balubad-Tibig route, motorists can also take Malolos and Matungao-Triple Junction-Cruz and Panginay, Balagtas routes.
According to Joey Meneses Rodrigo, vice president of Kabesera Inc, Bulakan town historical, heritage and cultural group, the bridge is named after Doroteo Caragdag, from Barangay Cupang (old name of Barangay Maysantol) who founded the Katipunan in Malolos and Bulakan town.
Born in Cupang on February 2, 1876 and died on March 5, 1947, Caragdag become a high official of the Katipunan and later become a military governor of Cagayan De Oro, vice governor of Mindanao-Sulu and also becone a representative of Zamboanga.
