Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — The Marikina Bridge is set to fully reopen on Monday after a lane was closed off for the repair of cracks discovered along a side of the bridge, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro announced Sunday.
“Inaasahan natin ay bukas mabubuksan na natin ito… Makikita natin, madami pa rin tayong traffic enforcers sa area. Mino-monitor ng mabuti yung integrity ng tulay lalo na kapag ginamit na ito ng madaming sasakyan,” Teodoro said in an interview with DZRH.
[Translation: We hope that tomorrow we will be able to open it… We’ll see, we’ll have a lot of traffic enforcers in the area. The integrity of the bridge will be carefully monitored, especially when it’s being used by many vehicles.”
The Marikina Bridge underwent construction after the local government reported a meters-long crack allegedly caused by an ongoing project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Teodoro called on the DPWH to immediately repair the structural damage and release the geotechnical survey report so that the government will know its cause, the condition of the bridge, and the needed repair works.
READ: Mayor tells DPWH: Repair cracked Marikina Bridge immediately or face raps
The long crack found last Jan. 6 was reportedly caused by digging for the deep foundation required by the Sumulong Flood Interceptor project of the DPWH.
According to Teodoro, around 250,000 vehicles pass through bridge daily, which connects some parts of Rizal and Quezon City.
