ONGOING CONSTRUCTION. The ongoing construction of the temporary bridge in Bayambang, Pangasinan based on a posted photo on March 23, 2026. The construction of a temporary bridge will be completed in July this year while waiting for the repair of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge (Wawa Bridge). (Photo courtesy of Balon Bayambang FB)
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The construction of a temporary bridge will be completed in July this year while waiting for the repair of the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge (Wawa Bridge), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Tuesday.
“The construction in Wawa is ongoing and I think it will be completed by July so that there will be a detour lane, it would not just be a one way lane, it would reduce traffic in Bayambang,” he said during his visit to Dagupan City on Tuesday.
The temporary bridge is part of the PHP300 million funding for the 442-meter Wawa Bridge, along the Camiling-Wawa-Bayambang-Malasiqui-Sta. Barbara Road, under the 2024 national budget.
The scope of work will include the construction of a detour road, foundation works, and demolition of the existing bridge, according to the DPWH Ilocos regional office.
The procurement process and start of the project were done in the fourth quarter of 2024 while a public consultation was held on Jan. 22, 2025.
At present, a temporary bailey bridge, with a five-ton load limit earlier constructed, enables the reopening of the bridge to light vehicles two weeks after a portion of Wawa Bridge collapsed in October 2022.
The bailey bridge is a one-way traffic and vehicles passing it should be 20 meters apart, according to the DPWH.
In his inspection at Wawa Bridge last March, Dizon said they target to speed up its completion along with other unfinished infrastructure project in the province.
The bridge, built in 1945, connects Pangasinan and Tarlac, and was used by motorists, including commuter buses going to and from the National Capital Region.
With its partial closure, above five tons vehicles take alternate routes, which are farther than the usual Camiling-Bayambang route. (PNA)
