A Tale Of Two Bridges

Comment from a reader on "Kalaklan Bridge Update":

Why is it that our government isn't informing us about the bridge problems at the freeport? Half of our bridges will be closed most likely for the next several years. Are our officials asleep at the switch or incompetent. Probably both.

SBMA's talk about attracting investment is laughable. We need people who know how to lead and make things happen. Do any exist in this country?

and another:

I have a few questions and comments for the SUbic Bulletin and its simplistic idea that a parallel bridge can be built at Kalakalan.

1. What leads you to make the statement "A world class Freeport"? The Subic Bulletin is regularly showing deficiencies in SBMA and it's mamagement of the Freeport. I hope this statement is "tonge in cheek"?
2. Do you really beleive that SBMA has sufficient budget to build a parallel bride, then repair the existing bridge thereby doubling capacity? Doubling the cost comes to mind!
3. The existing bridge at Kalakalan has an existing abuttment and access road from the highway. Do you really beleive SBMA would acquire the necessary property on the Olongapo side to build a parallel bridge? Im sure the owners and business would be rubbing their hands like Scrooge at the thought. And even then there is the road to the highway to consider, which is the jurisdiction of the City of Olongapo.

[The Subic Bulletin] Have you driven the old road to San Fernando there are two bridges under construction in such a way that traffic keeps passing next to the bridge under construction, likwise when they construct bridges further north in Zambales or in Pampanga they can manage to keep the crossing open through construction under these conditions. Why would provincial governments be capable of this but not SBMA?

"World class Freeport" is the term used by the administrator in his presentations, its not our term so tongue in cheeky-ness may be a more appropriate description.

Provincial Governments can build parallel bridges and yet the Freeport cash cow cant afford it? there are many options, get the army to put up a temp bailey bridge as an "exercise", build the new bridge and leave the old one for pedestrian use for 10 years then replace it, there are options, but for sure closing the bridge and scratching your head seems avoidable.

Your third point seems somewhat strange, governments acquire land for the purpose of roads all the time and there are set procedures and valuations that are used to do this. It does seem that the land right next to the bridge is available (on the bay side) so maybe no acquisition is necessary at all.