A recently completed bridge widening project in Occidental Mindoro has reportedly improved traffic flow and safety on a crucial section of the island’s west coastal road, officials say.

The Palanghiran Bridge in Barangay Mapaya, San Jose, has been expanded from a two-lane structure to a four-lane bridge, eliminating what had been a notorious bottleneck that frequently caused accidents.

“The bridge used to be very narrow and difficult for vehicles to pass through. Many accidents occurred when vehicles would meet going in opposite directions,” a resident said in Filipino when asked by DPWH. “Now that our bridge has been repaired, it’s much better and there are no more accidents.”

The project, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Occidental Mindoro District Engineering Office, strengthens Mindoro’s road networks that play crucial roles in economic development.

According to District Engineer Junie A. Lupango, the upgraded bridge now features a carriageway width of 14.64 meters, with 1.11-meter-wide sidewalks on both sides for pedestrians.

The improvements also include bridge posts and rails on both sides, a 114-linear-meter bridge approach, and stone masonry slope protection to ensure the structure’s durability.

The widened bridge serves a critical section of the Mindoro West Coastal Road that handles large volumes of traffic traveling to and from San Jose town proper.

LGU officials say the improvement provides wider and safer roads for faster mobility of both motorists and goods along these vital road sections.

(photo courtesy of DPWH Mimaropa)