Fissures observed in Marikina Bridge 

The Marikina City local government has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways – National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) to immediately repair the cracks and fissures seen at the Marikina Bridge, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

A letter signed by Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro dated Jan. 6 was sent to the DPWH-NCR, calling for the “immediate action to the structural damage that surfaced today at the Marikina Bridge due to the ongoing activities of your contractor for the DPWH-NCR Project – Sumulong Flood Interceptor.”

“The aforesaid matter raises serious concern in the City Government of Marikina as the several meter long crack appearing on the side of the bridge increases the possibility of collapsing, thus endangering the safety of the public and can lead to severe inconveniences to motorists and pedestrians,” the letter stated.

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The local government is “strongly demanding” the DPWH to conduct an “urgent repair and rectification in the soonest time possible.”

“Considering that we are duty bound to act on the welfare of inhabitants of the City of Marikina, we are expecting the immediate action of the DPWH, otherwise we are constrained to file necessary legal actions, civil, criminal and/or administrative if this will not be addressed promptly and accordingly,” the local government said.

A separate letter was sent to the DPWH-NCR on Jan. 7, detailing the local government’s initial observations after Teodoro and City Building officials inspected the bridge.

“One of the representatives of the DPWH-NCR, Engineer Edgardo S. Ramos and the Contractor-Amore Construction, has informed us that meter long cracks appeared due to their non-stop pile driving activities for the pipe laying, coupled with continuous rain caused the scouring on the soil which loosened it. This weakened the back fill foundation on the approach of the bridge,” the report said.

The local government said the government agency has “made a commitment, through phone, to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident and schedule activities in order to rectify the damaged portion.”

These include a “compaction test to determine structural soundness of the bridge, provide a safety status report on the use of the restricted/cracked portion on the bridge 40 meters of weakened joint head, undertake rectification activities, and commitment to provide daily updates to the Marikina LGU on the status of the rectification activities.”

The local government noted the lack of coordination of the DPWH-NCR with the LGU since the incident was discovered due to public reports. Photos of the big cracks on the surface of the Marikina Bridge also circulated on social media.

They also said that there was an “intent to hide it from public view by placing coverings in the area.”

The local government asked the agency for immediate disclosure on their activities and demanded for the indefinite suspension of construction operations at the bridge until its structural integrity is guaranteed.

At present, the site of the damage at the bridge has been cordoned off with traffic safety devices.

Shoring and sand filling operations of the eroded portions of the bridge have been conducted.

Pedestrians and motor vehicles may still pass through the bridge.