DOLORES, Abra (PIA) -- The construction of the La Paz-Dolores Legacy bridge connecting two towns in Abra is one of the remarkable accomplishments that benefits the people, and the local economy. 

Travel time between Dolores and La Paz was significantly reduced with the completion of the 360-meter bridge that shortens the distance between the two towns to just four kilometers.

With the one hour travel time reduced to at least five minutes, transportation and delivery of goods and services have improved

Before, travelers from Dolores had to go around the towns of Bangued and Tayum to get to La Paz, and vice versa.

The bridge, with a total length of 360.4 meters, and a project cost of more than P400 million, was opened on Friday, March 22.  

Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian and the Abra clergy blessed the bridge while Rep. Menchie Bernos, Dolores Mayor Conde Turqueza, and La Paz Mayor Joseph Sto. Niño ‘JB’ Bernos led the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

The construction of the bridge was made possible through the initiative of Mayor Bernos, a former Abra congressman, and now the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines.

“It will be forever etched in history that today, we have connected your municipality of Dolores to La Paz. This is a symbol of the strength of every Abreño,” Bernos said.

Turqueza stated that a bridge between the two towns has been a long-cherished dream of the residents of Dolores, especially those who live near the riverbanks.

“Haanen nga tagtagitnep nu di ket realidad’en,” he said.

[It’s no longer a dream but reality.]

In her message, the Congresswoman expressed her resolve to work for more development programs in the province.

“Dagitoy nga serbisyo ket para kadagiti amin nga Abreños, ta ti kayat ko ket mapasayaat ti amin nga biag ti umili,” she said.

[These services are for all Abreños because what I want is to improve the lives of everyone.]

The event was witnessed by the different mayors, and heads of national government offices in the province. (CAGT-PIA Abra)