Pangasinan: The construction of a temporary bridge in Pangasinan is set to be completed by July this year, as confirmed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. This development comes as a relief for commuters as repairs on the Carlos P. Romulo Bridge, also known as the Wawa Bridge, are underway.

According to Philippines News Agency, the temporary bridge is part of a PHP300 million allocation for the 442-meter Wawa Bridge project, situated along the Camiling-Wawa-Bayambang-Malasiqui-Sta. Barbara Road. The project under the 2024 national budget encompasses the construction of a detour road, foundational works, and the demolition of the existing bridge, as detailed by the DPWH Ilocos regional office.

The project commenced with a procurement process in the fourth quarter of 2024, followed by a public consultation on January 22, 2025. Currently, a temporary bailey bridge with a five-ton load limit allows for the passage of light vehicles. This bailey bridge was installed two weeks after a section of the Wawa Bridge collapsed in October 2022, enabling one-way traffic with a stipulation for vehicles to maintain a 20-meter distance from each other.

During his March inspection of the Wawa Bridge, Secretary Dizon expressed an intention to expedite the completion of this and other pending infrastructure projects in the province. Built in 1945, the Wawa Bridge serves as a vital connection between Pangasinan and Tarlac, facilitating transportation for motorists and commuter buses traveling to and from the National Capital Region. The bridge's partial closure has led heavier vehicles, exceeding five tons, to seek alternate and longer routes, deviating from the usual Camiling-Bayambang path.