DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new Calmay Bridge was held on December 20, marking a significant step forward in the Zambales-Pangasinan bypass and diversion roads project.
This collaboration between the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 1 and the Office of Fourth District Representative Christopher De Venecia aims to enhance connectivity, improve safety, and boost economic growth in Dagupan City.
The new bridge will connect downtown Dagupan with Barangays Calmay and Carael, providing safer and more efficient access to schools, markets, and healthcare facilities for approximately 16,000 residents who currently rely on motorboats for transportation.
The 411.15-meter bridge will feature a prestressed concrete girder design and a four-lane configuration, with a total width of 24.74 meters.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2026, with an allocated budget of P1.8 billion.
Congressman De Venecia said, “The realization of this bridge fulfills a long-held dream for our community. While it will undoubtedly improve daily life, it’s crucial to preserve the city’s unique boating culture, an integral part of our identity.”
He emphasized the importance of translating vision into action, stating, “Vision without execution is hallucination, but vision with execution leads to progress, it leads to the future. This is the century of the New Dagupan, attracting investors and creating opportunities for our citizens.”
Currently, residents must travel by land through Binmaley town, a journey that takes 40 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
The new bridge will significantly reduce travel time, cutting it down to 15 to 20 minutes.
This improved accessibility is expected to stimulate economic activity in the island barangays of Calmay and Carael.
The project received an initial funding of ₱150 million this year, with another ₱140 million allocated for 2025.
Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its anticipated benefits, including improved traffic flow, reduced travel time, enhanced safety, and economic growth, particularly in trade and local livelihoods.
Joven Salayog, barangay captain of Calmay, expressed his deep gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Congressman De Venecia, and Mayor Fernandez for making this long-awaited dream a reality.
“We’ve been waiting for this since the time of Speaker [Jose] De Venecia, and now his son has continued this important work. This new bridge will significantly improve our lives, making it easier to reach the city,” Salayog said.
Val Villanueva, a 28-year-old student from Barangay Calmay, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the positive impact the new bridge will have on the youth.
“I am grateful for this bridge, which will make travel to school and work much safer and easier. As a youth of Barangay Calmay, I understand the challenges of our current transportation situation, especially during heavy rain. This bridge will significantly improve our lives and alleviate many of the hardships we face,” he said. (AMB/RPM/KLTD/PIA Pangasinan)
