LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - With only its railings being completed, the P700 million Domalandan bridge will be fully completed December 23 this year, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

DPWH Regional Director Fidel Ginez said with only the middle span of the bridge put under the curing stage, the 700-meter bridge spanning across the Limahong channel in Lingayen can now be walked on by pedestrian traffic.

Ginez who recently inspected the project, said the bridge is still close for vehicular traffic but he advised motorists to wait a little, as eventually, it will soon be opened.

The project is slated to be inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. and Public Works and Highwyas Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Governor Victor Agbayani and LingayenMayor Ernesto Castañeda on January 6, coinciding with the town fiesta of Lingayen.

It was the fulfillment of a promise made by President Arroyo when she graced the town fiesta of Lingayen in January this year, said Mayor Castañeda.

Ginez was very satisfied with the way the project was constructed although this was started way back in 2001 with scanty appropriations initially released by the national government.

Budget for the project came solely from yearly appropriations from the DPWH, that was why it took five years to have it completed.

The Domalandan bridge was the biggest project constructed by the government in Pangasinan in recent years although the bigger one is now being constructed in Dagupan City which is the new Pantal bridge worth P903 million.

But Ginez said the bridge in Dagupan, funded by the Japanese Bank for International Development, is due for completion in September 2008 yet. (PNA)