Bahagi ng Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge, nag-collapse | One Balita Pilipinas

Summary

A portion of the Cabagan Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela collapsed after a truck carrying over 100 tons of boulders crossed it, exceeding the bridge's 45-ton limit. Six individuals were injured. Despite the bridge being newly completed in February 2024, it was only open to light vehicles. The DPWH reassured the public that the construction met safety standards and clarified that the truck’s weight was a key factor in the collapse. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause, with repairs planned once the findings are confirmed. The public is awaiting further updates and a timeline for reopening.

Takeaways

• 😀 A portion of the Cabagan Santa Maria Bridge in Santa Maria, Isabela collapsed on February 8, 2025, causing injuries to six individuals, including passengers of a truck and a motorcycle.
• 😀 The bridge construction started in 2014 and was completed in February 2025, with a project cost of approximately 1.2 billion pesos.
• 😀 The collapse occurred when a truck carrying boulders, weighing over 100 tons, passed over the bridge, exceeding the bridge's weight limit of 45 tons.
• 😀 The truck's load of boulders was deemed the main cause of the collapse based on the initial assessment by the DPWH engineers.
• 😀 The bridge was initially opened to light vehicles only, with construction still ongoing, including minor painting work.
• 😀 DPWH assures that the materials used in the construction met the required standards and specifications, despite viral speculation about possible substandard quality.
• 😀 The truck likely came from the western part of Isabela or neighboring Kalinga, and it had already crossed the river before the collapse occurred.
• 😀 The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, with ongoing assessments being conducted by DPWH engineers from the central office.
• 😀 It was mentioned that the bridge was opened to the public after inspections were done, ensuring it was fit for light vehicle use at the time.
• 😀 The DPWH is committed to expediting repairs but cannot determine a timeline for reopening until a thorough investigation and assessment are completed.

Q & A

What caused the collapse of the Cabagan Santa Maria Bridge in Santa Maria, Isabela?

The collapse was caused by a truck carrying over 100 tons of boulders, which exceeded the bridge's maximum load capacity of 45 tons.

When was the construction of the Cabagan Santa Maria Bridge started and completed?

The construction of the bridge began in 2014 and was completed in February 2024.

What vehicles were affected by the collapse of the bridge?

Two private vehicles—a truck and a motorcycle—were affected by the collapse, resulting in six individuals being injured.

Why was the bridge open to light vehicles before the collapse?

The bridge was only open to light vehicles due to ongoing work, such as painting, and the need to ensure safety for workers.

What is the estimated cost of the Cabagan Santa Maria Bridge project?

The estimated cost of the bridge project is 1.2 billion pesos.

Was the bridge considered to be substandard in its construction?

No, the bridge was not considered substandard. The materials used in its construction passed the required standards and specifications.

Has the cause of the collapse been determined yet?

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation. An ongoing assessment by engineers is being conducted to determine the exact cause.

What role did the heavy load of the truck play in the collapse of the bridge?

The heavy load of the truck, which exceeded the bridge's weight capacity by a significant margin, was a major factor in the collapse of the bridge.

Was the bridge fully open to the public when the incident occurred?

The bridge had been opened for use by light vehicles but had not been fully opened for heavier traffic, as there were still ongoing construction works.

How long had the bridge been operational before the collapse?

The bridge had only been operational for a short period, having been completed in February 2024, and was only accessible to light vehicles at the time of the collapse.