[ Malaya.com.ph ] January 15, 2010
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said construction of some key infrastructure projects at the Subic Bay freeport zone are underway to give way to the expansion of the zone.
SBMA said the bridge that would replace the Kalaklan bridge that was built by the US Navy in the early 1960s has started construction.
Kalaklan bridge, one of the existing four bridges linking Subic to nearby Olongapo City, will be replaced by a new two-lane concrete bridge with covered walkway and a security plaza.
Other facilities to be constructed include a parking lot and an administration building that will also house satellite offices for the SBMA Treasury, SBMA Seaport Department, and the Bureau of Customs.
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the bridge construction project is part of the agency’s efforts to prepare necessary infrastructures for the eventual expansion of the Subic Bay Freeport into nearby areas like Olongapo.
"This is part of the SBMA program to push beyond Subic’s secured area," Arreza said, referring to the fenced-in portion of the free port that previously housed the Subic Naval Base.
Arreza said earlier that SBMA’s thrust to extend the physical boundaries of the Subic Bay Freeport seeks to generate more livelihood opportunities for people in the surrounding communities.
He said that in order for the SBMA to carry out its mandate of developing nearby areas, the agency would have to fund various public infrastructures, such as roads.
He added that two bridges leading to Olongapo are actually set for replacement after SBMA engineers discovered that they have been "structurally weakened."
The bridge leading to Subic’s main gate has also been closed to vehicle traffic since last year. The Kalaklan bridge will be closed to all vehicles and pedestrians starting February 15 and March 1, respectively.
The contractor is RD Policarpio and Co. Inc.
An average of 2,500 light vehicles and some 300 pedestrians, mostly workers, pass through the Kalaklan lighthouse bridge everyday.
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