The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officially started on Monday, August 8, 2022 the construction of the multi-million San Miguel Bridge 1 Project in San Simon, Pampanga.

The project will replace an old steel bridge along the San Simon-Baliwag Road crossing the Pampanga River which is currently accessible only to light vehicles.

The DPWH Unified Project Management Office Bridges Management Cluster (UPMO-BMC) will undertake the construction of the 388.29-meter, two-lane permanent bridge with a 238.03-meter approach under the Bridge Construction Replacement Program 1.

When completed, the Php316.48-million project will be an all-weather bridge that can accommodate all types of vehicles.

Present during the groundbreaking for the project were Pampanga 4th District Representative Anna York Bondoc, San Simon Mayor Jun Punsalan and Vice-Mayor Dading Santos, UPMO-BMC Project Engineer Richard Dean Santos representing Project Director Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes and Project Manager Solomon T. Vinta.

The San Miguel 1 Bridge Replacement Project is targeted to be completed in July 2024.

The DPWH will move the old San Miguel Bridge to link Barangays San Pedro and San Nicolas as a detour for motorists while the new bridge is being constructed.

The transfer of the old steel bridge will be implemented in six months. (DPWH)