Century-Old Capiz Bridge Set for Rehabilitation

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Roxas City government is set to rehabilitate the historic Capiz Bridge, also known as the Roxas City Bridge, and has imposed a ban on heavy vehicles in preparation for the project.

In an interview on July 10, Department of Public Works and Highways–Capiz 1st Engineering District Engineer Cecil Lawrence Cruz said technical personnel from DPWH Region 6 recently inspected the century-old bridge and found it potentially unfit to carry heavy loads.

Cruz said DPWH Region 6 Director Joel F. Limpengco ordered the inspection of the bridge, which was built in 1909.

Now more than 100 years old, the bridge has never undergone major rehabilitation and may no longer be capable of supporting heavy vehicles.

Mayor Ronnie Dadivas emphasized the importance of expert recommendations to ensure public safety while preserving the structure’s historical and architectural integrity.

He said the city is committed to restoring the bridge in a way that honors its heritage while ensuring its continued public use.

As part of initial safety measures, the city issued Executive Order No. 5, which prohibits the passage of heavy vehicles with six wheels or more on the bridge.

The order cited inspection findings indicating the bridge is no longer structurally sound for heavy traffic and could fail if overloaded.

The EO underscores the need to preserve the bridge’s structural integrity, ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians, and prevent imminent danger from overloading the weakened structure.

To enforce the restriction, the Roxas City Traffic Management Unit, local police and barangay tanods from Barangays I, III, VI, VII and IX have been tasked to monitor and manage traffic in the affected areas.

The bridge restoration is part of the city’s broader effort to protect historical landmarks while prioritizing public safety and sustainable urban development.