Government invests P2B in Tuguegarao-Solana Bridge to tackle Buntun Bridge traffic bottlenecks

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan –The long-standing issue of congested traffic on the Buntun Bridge during rush hour is expected to soon be alleviated with the construction of the Tuguegarao-Solana Bridge.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the billion-dollar project is scheduled for Friday, February 23, according to a report by Radyo Pilipinas-Tuguegarao.

As the ceremony marking the start of construction approaches, steel decks are currently being laid to serve as a temporary roadway for light vehicles.

Originally, these decks were planned to be placed gradually to provide a laying area for cranes and other heavy equipment while the bridge's foundation is built.

However, Cagayan 3rd District Representative Joseph Lara stated that due to the 'urgency' of the current situation, with heavy traffic being experienced in Tuguegarao City, they have decided to completely build the steel deck for the passage of light vehicles.

While the construction of the bridge requires at least P2 billion for completion, it has been explained that the project will be built through a multi-year funding scheme.

For this year, P280 million has been allocated for the soon-to-be-constructed bridge, sourced from the General Appropriations Act, or GAA 2024.

Meanwhile, the target completion date for the temporary bridge for light vehicles is set for July of this year.

This bridge will connect Barangay Bagay in Tuguegarao to Barangay Centro in Solana.