DPWH inspects Mindanao's Panguil bridge ahead of Sept opening

MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted an onsite inspection of the Panguil Bay Bridge Project in Mindanao before the scheduled inauguration next month.

In a press release, Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain and key officials from the Unified Project Management Office Operations, led the inspection on Friday to ensure that the 3.17-kilometer bridge, which will connect Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod in Lanao del Norte, is on track for the target opening.

The civil works, with a total cost of P7.375 billion and financed through a loan agreement between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, is more than 97.5 percent complete.

During the inspection, they conducted a detailed assessment of key elements, including the deck slab, approach roads, barrier and median strip concrete, metal guardrail, and ancillary structures.

The team also monitored the progress of crucial finishing activities, with a focus on the application of waterproofing and asphalt paving, expansion joint works, the implementation of aesthetic and electrical lighting systems, line markings and the installation of road signage.

The landmark infrastructure project is expected to reduce travel time between Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte from two and a half hours via roll-on/roll-off vessels to just seven minutes by land. (PNA)