Faster, stronger, better Bankerohan bridge, DPWH vows
by R. Alama
Davao City (12 February) -- Using modern construction technology the construction of the new Bankerohan Bridge will be stonger, better and much faster.
According to Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, the contractor would be utilizing bore-ping technology to build the bridge instead of the usual pile-driving method which involves piles being hammered or driven into the river bed.
"We would be using the Ogre machine, which would bore into the ground then would pour the materials. We estimate to save around 2/3 of our time as compared Pile-driving." Yabut said.
Mas matibay, mas mabilis (stronger, faster) Yabut said of the Bore-driven construction. He said the machines have been used in the construction of MRT and the LRT expansion projects in Metro Manila. Yabut added that they will be using pre-tense and pre-stress girders in the bridge superstructure to speed up the construction without sacrificing the quality of the structure.
He added pile-driving would involve about 18-24 months of construction but now with Bore-driving construction time is expected to be cut to about 7-8 months but the DPWH is standing pat on its promise to finish the bridge on time by August this year. Yabut added that construction would be 24/7.
Though motorists would be inconvenienced during the construction phase, Yabut said that the speedier construction would lessen the amount of time the commuters and motorists would bear with the inconvenience.
After numerous delays the Construction has been started on the P206 million, 170 meter Bankerohan Bridge II project to will replace the 50-year old structure that collapse early last year. The old 2-lane Bankerohan Bridge is sorely missed by many Dabawenyos and also visitors from nearby areas not only for its historic value but also since its absence has created humongous traffic bottlenecks on a major artery in the City. (PIA XI) [top]
