ILOILO City – The soil exploration and geotechnical study for the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges has commenced, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 announced. Poised to enhance regional connectivity, this project has a total investment of P187.54 billion.
“Our consultants have completed the soil tests for sections of our alignment for each pier,” said Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, DPWH-6 officer-in-charge.
The tests are crucial for providing soil classification data that will impact design parameters, especially for the piers located offshore.
The soil tests conducted by consultants from Yooshin Engineering Company and Dasan Consultants, both based in South Korea, are part of their work on the detailed engineering design (DED) for the mega bridges project.
The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges, which will span 32.47 kilometers, are expected to become architectural marvels with state-of-the-art construction, including intricate road networks and interchanges.
Following the directive from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the consultants aim to complete the DED for the Panay-Guimaras segment, or Segment A, by December 2024, instead of the end of 2025.
This accelerated schedule is designed to allow the initiation of civil works for Segment A.
“The civil works will begin in the second semester of 2025, taking into account the procurement activity for the civil works,” said Oropel.
Oropel reassured that the timeline for the DED’s completion would not be disrupted, despite potential delays due to adverse weather, including the expected La Niña phenomenon in late 2024.
Safety measures for consultants and workers are being prioritized, but the regional director emphasized that there is a timeline that the consultants are following, which includes contingency plans to address any potential delays.
Currently, six barges have been set up between Guimaras and Iloilo to conduct the soil exploration and geotechnical study.
“If the weather worsens and causes schedule delays, the number of barges may increase, depending on the consultant’s decision. It’s a consortium of six consultants working together to deliver the DED by December 2024 as per the President’s instruction,” Oropel explained.
Scheduled for completion by 2030, the bridges will significantly reduce travel time between Panay Island and Negros Occidental Island from three to four hours by sea to less than one hour by road, enhancing safety and expediting journeys.
Oropel said the bridges will revolutionize regional accessibility, streamline transportation, and ensure a more interconnected future for the region./PN
