MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 25 January) – Mangima Bridge in Manolo Fortich town, Bukidnon will be closed to traffic for some hours from January 26 to 29 due to the Department of Public Works and Highways’ bridge widening project.
The Public Affairs, Information and Assistance (PAIA) division of the Office of the Provincial Governor announced this on January 24.
Vendors of food items swarm on a bus as it stops at a section of the highway in Barangay Maluko, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon that is undergoing repair. MindaNews file photo by H. Marcos C. Mordeno
The project contractor, M. Montesclaros Enterprises Inc. had sought the temporary closure as part of their construction procedure.
The firm informed the provincial government about it in a notice letter for temporary road closure on the same day.
Rommel Gaudiel, project engineer said in the letter to Gov.
Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. that they will launch and install bridge girders during which their heavy equipment will block the Sayre Highway.
On January 26 (Friday), they will close the bridge from 9p.m. to 11:30p.m. On January 27 and 28, the bridge will be closed from 12 a.m. to 4a.m. and 9p.m. to 11:30p.m. On January 29, it will be closed from 12a.m. to 4.a.m, if work is not yet finished.
The contractor also assured that emergency vehicles like ambulances, firetrucks, and rescue cars will be given special consideration.
“Rest assured our safety and traffic management personnel will provide necessary assistance in order to alleviate the inconvenience that we may bring,” Gaudiel said in the letter.
But the contractor clarified that within the schedule, they will open the road for traffic every hour to let vehicles pass.
There is no alternative route for this particular portion of the Sayre Highway, Hansel Echavez, head of PAIA said.
The bridge lies below the Mangima Canyon, a scenic spot known for its winding road. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews Contributor)
