Ayala Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Ayala Bridge
Other Name:Puente de Ayala
Carries:Four lanes of and C-1, vehicular traffic and pedestrians
Crosses:Pasig River
Locale:Manila
Maint:Department of Public Works and Highways – South Manila District Engineering Office
Material:Steel
Length:142m (466feet)[1]
Width:23.5m (77.1feet)
Number Spans:2
Piers In Water:1
Load:20t[2]
Builder:Don Jacobo Zóbel y Zangroniz
Lanes:4 (2 per direction)
Begin:1872
Rebuilt:1908 and 1930s
Preceded:Quezon Bridge
Followed:Mabini Bridge
Coordinates:14.591°N 120.999°W

Ayala Bridge (;) is a steel truss bridge over the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines. It connects the districts of Ermita and San Miguel, passing over the western tip of Isla de Convalecencia. It carries Circumferential Road 1 (C-1) and National Route 180 (N180), linking Ayala Boulevard in Ermita to P. Casal Street in San Miguel.

History

Ayala Bridge was originally two separate timber-built bridges (divided into the "San Miguel" and "Concepcion" sections after each side's point of origin, converging into Isla de la Convalecencia) when it was first built in 1872 by Don Jacobo Zóbel y Zangroniz of Casa Róxas (the present-day Ayala Corporation).

Scarcely 10 years after it was opened to traffic, the bridge's condition had degenerated considerably that in 1899, the "San Miguel" portion collapsed, with "Concepcion" following suit months later. Steel became the main material in 1908, and Ayala Bridge became the first steel bridge in the Philippines. Its current form is attributed to a 1930s reconstruction, when it was decided to unify the bridge in a singular route.

Ayala Bridge was closed to the public in early 2015 to undergo rehabilitation and structural repairs to ensure structural integrity. It was raised by 70cm (30inches), enabling it to withstand a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The bridge fully reopened to the motorists in November 2015.[3]

Every January 9 of the year since 2020, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority annually closes the bridge from car passage for a procession during the Feast of the Black Nazarene after it was rerouted from Jones Bridge which has been recently retrofitted.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Detailed Bridge Inventory. Department of Public Works and Highways. March 17, 2021.
  2. News: Ayala Bridge rehab to go on until December. Agoncillo. Jodee A.. The Philippine Star. September 29, 2015. June 11, 2020.
  3. News: Salazar. Cherry . New technology lifts Ayala Bridge. July 11, 2015. The Philippine Star. April 26, 2015.
  4. Web site: Traslacion 2020 to use Ayala Bridge for procession route . January 2, 2020 .