The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority reported Thursday that it will be starting the construction of a new bridge to replace the old Kalaklan bridge which was built by the Americans in 1960’s.
The Kalaklan bridge will be close down to all vehicular traffic on February 15 and to pedestrian on March 1, a statement from the SBMA said.
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the bridge construction project is part of the agency’s efforts to prepare necessary infrastructures for the eventual expansion of the Subic Bay Freeport into nearby areas like Olongapo.
“This is part of the SBMA program to push beyond Subic’s secured area,” Arreza said, referring to the fenced-in portion of the free port that previously housed the Subic Naval Base.
He added that two bridges leading to Olongapo are set for replacement after SBMA engineers discovered that they have been “structurally weakened.”
The bridge leading to Subic’s main gate has also been closed to vehicle traffic since last year, he added.
(The proposed bridge in Kalaklan, which according to SBMA is a key stepping stone for the expansion of the freeport in nearby areas.)
Last Tuesday, SBMA project officials met with Olongapo mayor James Gordon, Jr., as well as officials of the Metro-Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau to discuss details of the project.
Joselito Bakuteza, head of the SBMA Project Management Office, said that “all necessary preparations to minimize the effect of the project to various stakeholders, as well as motorists and commuters, were discussed.”
“In our study, an average of 2,500 light vehicles and some 300 pedestrians, mostly workers, pass through the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge everyday,” Bakuteza said.
Mayor Gordon, meanwhile, announced that Olongapo City will issue some ordinances to minimize traffic problems in the city, including the implementation of a truck ban from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m and 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m from Monday to Friday, and the declaration of the busy 14th Street as a tow-away zone.
“Dapat yung bagong bridge eh pwede maka daan yung mga basnig kasi may fish port kami near that area, na pinagawa naming para may hanap buhay ang mga residente sa syudad.” Gordon said.
Another consultation headed by the Traffic Management Bureau of Olongapo City is set next week to discuss further details and effect on the closure of the said bridge.
