TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija (PIA) -- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) completed a four-lane permanent bridge at barangay Bicos in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.

The brand new Bicos Bridge 1 served as a replacement for the old bridge that had become dilapidated due to both its age and the strain of overloaded vehicles.

DPWH Nueva Ecija 1st OIC-District Engineer Osias Santos said the 18-meter infrastructure is a crucial link along the Junction Pinagpanaan-Rizal-Pantabangan Road.

“With its completion, motorists can now traverse the road section with utmost convenience,” he added.

During the closure of the old bridge, the agency provided a detour adjacent to the structure to ensure continuous access for commuters.

Santos furthered that the project also involved the construction of 111-meter and 91-meter road approaches on each end, alongside abutment protections, to fortify the bridge foundations against scouring, resulting in a total net length of 220 meters of the entire structure.

P58.8 million was allotted for the project under the 2023 General Appropriations Act. (MJSC/CLJD-PIA 3)