MANILA —  A bridge that collapsed in Isabela last week had been “overstressed” by the passage of a convoy of heavy trucks, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Wednesday.

Signages on the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela had reminded motorists that only light vehicles could pass. But on February 27, trucks with boulders weighing about 100 tons went over the bridge that is designed to only carry around 44 tons, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

“Tatlo yata yung loaded truck na dumaan. Yung isa nakalampas, pero sunod-sunod kasi, yung pangalawa yun ang bumigay na ang segment na ‘yan,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

“Ito yung preliminary assessment namin: yung segment na ‘yan was overstressed 200 percent,” the official added.

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The bridge was designed by a local consulting firm and its initial construction started in late 2014. The structure later underwent retrofitting for earthquake safety and additional features. 

It collapsed the same month that it was opened to the public. 

Collapsed Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge just opened Feb 2025, cost P1.2-B - DPWH

Bonoan said the DPWH was “trying to engage a third party consulting services” to help check the cause of the bridge collapse and inspect the structure’s materials. 

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an investigation into potential corruption in the construction of the P1.22-billion bridge.