THE Department of Public Works and Highways yesterday announced that the P318.9-million bridge project in Antique is now open to traffic.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said motorists can now use the newly completed Bugo Bridge along San Remigio Bugo Road in Antique.

“The Bugo bridge will improve life, trade and commerce in Antique,” he said.

Singson added that the 430 lineal meter double-lane steel bridge will enhance better trade and commerce by making it much easier and safer to transport  agricultural goods and services to more than 10 barangays of Bagumbayan and Bugo in the hinterlands of San Remigio.

Under contract with Waagner-Biro Philippines, Inc., he said the Austrian modular steel bridge project has become a well-known landmark in the country in terms of reliable and high quality steel bridge construction, which aims to improve the lives of Filipinos, especially in calamity-stricken areas.

The DPWH chief added funding for the modern bridge which cost P318.889 million was a grant from the Austrian government.

Bugo bridge is located along Sibalom river  between barangay Bagumbayan and Bugo, San Remigio. Barangay Bugo is eight kilometers from the town proper and 29 kilometers from Antique’s capital town of San Jose.

It is one of the identified priority bridges under the DPWH Bridge Construction Acceleration Project for Calamity Stricken Areas.

The Bugo bridge rehabilitation project started on Oct. 1, 2009 after it was severely damaged by typhoon Frank in June 2008 and was completed on March 31, 2011, one month ahead of schedule.