THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on its Facebook page that it will close Mancatian Bridge in Porac town starting March 18.
The bridge will be closed to heavy traffic and only light vehicles will be allowed through until repairs on the bridge are completed.
Mayor Condralito dela Cruz in August last year announced that some P360 million has been allocated for the repair and the construction of protective engineering on the Mancatian Bridge here to soften the regular flow of lahar from the Porac-Zambales area.
This came as rains from habagat in 2018 damaged portions of the protective embankments as well as part of the foundation of the Mancatian Bridge. The lahar that the waters had brought down through the Pasig-Potrero River had been strong enough to cause damage.
Dela Cruz said that the DPWH already sent heavy equipment in the area to start initial re-channeling of the water flow. He added that protecting the bridge is vital in keeping the eastern barangays connected with the rest of the town.
The Mancatian Bridge connects Porac-Dinalupihan road with Angeles City and is a vital facility for local commercial activity in the area. An average of 6,000 to 8,000 vehicles traverse the said bridge daily. The vehicular traffic consists mainly of jeepneys, trucks and private vehicles.
