OTIS Bridge in Paco, Manila, was reopened Tuesday after a five-month reconstruction due to a collapsed portion in June.
The 80-meter bridge was closed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in June after authorities found that a 20-meter portion of the structure collapsed. The reconstruction of the old bridge was then implemented.
The bridge that connects Paco and Pandacan is now six-lane wide. Initially, it has been opened to light vehicles.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, however, said that “eventually, the bridge will accommodate trucks that are within the normal capacity.”
“The newly-reconstructed Otis Bridge has been widened from four lanes to six lanes. It’s maximum allowable weight was also increased from 15 tons to 20 tons to accommodate more motorists in the area,” Villar said.
He also added that compared to the old version of the bridge, the new Otis Bridge is “much more resilient as it was built using new technologies.”
Villas furthered that the bridge is also “seismic created for the largest earthquakes transmitted.”
The reopening of the bridge is expected to ease traffic congestion in Osmena Highway, Quirino Avenue, and United Nations Avenue. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, around 3,700 motorists are passing through the bridge everyday.
It will also serve as a link of vehicles traversing South Manila to North Manila as well as the cities of Quezon, Caloocan, and Mandaluyong.
The reconstruction of the bridge, Villar said, was completed ahead of time as the original date of completion was scheduled in February 2019. A total of P33.58 million was spent for its replacement.
The secretary said “this will be another Christmas gift to motorists, specifically in this area of Manila.”
Otis Bridge was built in 1968. It has since serve as major artery for cargo vehicles in Manila. (Betheena Kae Unite)
