TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- The construction of the Tuguegarao-Solana mega bridge has officially commenced following the groundbreaking and cornerstone laying held at Bagay, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The P2.4 billion two-lane bridge project was funded through the initiative of Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph "Jojo" Lara with the support of Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations. 

Co, who personally graced the event, said the bridge project is a legacy anchored on the thrust of the Marcos administration to provide better infrastructure and accessibilities to aid countryside developments.

“We gathered not only to break ground for this project but to forge a path towards unity, development, and prosperity. This bridge symbolizes opportunities and connection of communities that will catalyze economic growth in the region,” Co said.

Assistant Secretary Rey Peter Gille of the Department of Public Works and Highways said the Tuguegarao-Solana bridge has a 3.35-meter width and 1.6 linear-meter in length.

“This strategic initiative not only increases road network capacity but also ensures the continued accessibility and vitality of the region’s transportation infrastructure marking a transformative milestone in the department's vision of providing infrastructure facilities and services that meet the needs of the Filipino people,” Gille said. 

Lara explained that the bridge will serve as an alternate route to the almost 60-year-old Buntun bridge, the only connecting bridge between the southeastern to the southwestern towns of Cagayan province. 

He said a new parallel bridge is needed to eliminate the heavy load and traffic congestion frequently experienced by commuters passing through the old Buntun bridge. 

“We bring permanent solutions to perennial problems but this project will not only resolve the problem of our commuters, it will also bring developments to the western side of Cagayan," he said.

Lara also added that, if completed, the travel time from Solana to Tuguegarao City will already be reduced from an hour to only five minutes. 

Solana Mayor Jenalyn Carag, on behalf of the other chief executives, expressed her gratitude for the construction of the new bridge, which will benefit the people of Solana but will also bring economic development to the municipality and its neighboring towns. 

Solana is the rice granary of Cagayan. Aside from this, the bridge will also benefit the town of Piat, which is the pilgrimage center of the north, and the towns Enrile, Tuao, Rizal, Amulung, and Sto Niño. (OTB/PIA Region 2)