MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun the lifting of the historical Ayala Bridge in San Miguel, Manila, showcasing a technology adopted for the first time in the Philippines.
DPWH thru project contractor Frey-Fil Corporation/EEI Corporation Joint Venture is raising the bridge freeboard clearance by .70 meters using strand jack technology, a heavy lifting system used worldwide to lift bridges, buildings and other structures.
The on-going rehabilitation works of the four lane steel truss-type Ayala bridge will also utilize two seismic engineering tools to ensure that the bridge will be earthquake-resistant: the high-damping rubber bearing and base isolation.
Installation of high-damping rubber (HDR) bearings will allow the bridge to absorb energy in case of lateral earthquake by transforming energy to heat while the use of base isolators is intended for the bridge to survive a devastating seismic impact by dividing the bridge’s fixed connections to substructures and placing roller bearing on sides of the bridge to make way for movement.
Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said that the on-going rehabilitation of Ayala Bridge superstructure and road approaches including retrofitting of its substructure is part of the DPWH Urgent Infrastructure Development Project (UIDP), which aims to rehabilitate bridges that have long been non-conforming to current seismic code, hence are critically in-need of repair.
Constructed in 1880 as Puente de la Convelecencia and underwent last major repair works in 1957, Ayala Bridge is being rehabilitated maintain to original historical configuration at a cost of P447.953 Million.
The bridge will be partially re-opened to light vehicles by middle of May 2015.
DPWH utilizes new technology for the lifting of Ayala bridge
