CANAMAN, CAMARINES SUR -- CONSTRUCTION FIRMS QUALIFIED TO BID for the P 1.3-Billion "Skyway Bridge project" that will link the first district town of Libmanan to the second district locality of Canaman have conducted a series of site inspection in the past weeks, the First Engineering District Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cam. Sur, here had revealed.
District engineer Gilbert Olfindo said a series of site visits has been made by three groups of 'triple-A' contractors who have been shortlisted from among several construction firms.
The inspection were made together with engineers of the Bureau of Design, DPWH central office, purposely to coordinate the design aspect of the bridge, with the winning bidders to provide for the structural design of the bridge, before its actual construction, Olfindo said.
It was earlier reported that actual work on the bridge site will start by October this year under the supervision of the DPWH Bureau of Construction, Central Office.
Olfindo said that DPWH central office has committed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to complete works on the "Skyway Bridge" by 2010; the initial mobilization fund of P 400-Million had already been requested by DPWH Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane.
Olfindo added that the cost of two bridges that will link an islet from Barangay Concepcion, Libmanan to Barangay Fundado, Canaman into the second district has been earmarked at P 800 - Million, while highway approaches on both sides of the bridges will cost some P 500-Million.
The "Skyway Bridge project" is intended to provide a shorter alternative route aside from the Maharlika Highway, and open development in the idle communities along the Bicol River banks of Libmanan, Canaman and Magarao towns in the adjoined districts. (SONNY SALES)