Pampanga roads closed after tremor
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Major roads and bridges were closed to traffic after it incurred damages following the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that hit the province on Monday afternoon.
The FVR Megadike access roads from Dolores to Calibutbut/Maliwalo in this capital city was closed to all types of vehicles as of yesterday noon, after the infrastructure sustained cracks and damages.
The FVR Megadike, built during the term of former President Fidel V. Ramos, is considered an alternate access way from Bacolor town to this capital city, Porac town and Angeles City.
Personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have started conducting repair and rehabilitation on the damages on the infrastructure yesterday noon.
The Consuelo Bridge in Floridablanca town was also not passable as of yesterday noon after a major crack was seen on the foundation and approach of the infrastructure after the earthquake.
Floridablanca Mayor Darwin Manalansan said the Consuelo Bridge is a vital infrastructure as it connects their town to Zambales, particularly Olongapo, and other areas in Northern Luzon.
Manalansan also disclosed that he ordered the temporary halting of quarry operations in his town to ensure the safety and security of the public, especially quarry workers.
The Sasmuan-Lubao Bridge in Lubao town, meanwhile, was only passable to light vehicles as of yesterday noon due to visible damages caused by the earthquake.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, who conducted inspection on the said infrastructure yesterday morning, said all affected roads and bridges will undergo assessment to check on the extent of damages.
Villar said the agency will fast-track the repair and rehabilitation of the infrastructures to make them available to traffic as early as possible.
“So far, hindi naman major iyong mga damages na na-incur ng mga infrastructures so possible na ma-open din ito by the end of the day but of course, we have to properly assess first kasi ang priority natin ay safety ng mga motorists,” he said.
Villar, meanwhile, said that the agency is yet to determine the cost of damages caused by the earthquake as DPWH personnel are still doing rounds on the affected areas.
This was after several public and private establishments, including schools, churches, and residential houses also reported damages caused by the earthquake.
“Based on initial reports, Pampanga actually ang may pinakamaraming damages since wala naman kaming na-receive na major reports from other provinces but of course, we will still be verifying this,” Villar said.