Nlex Corp. said on Sunday it is targeting to complete the rehabilitation of the Meycauayan Bridge and Bigaa Bridge in Bulacan a month ahead of its original completion date.

Luigi L. Bautista, the company's president, said the company is now aiming to complete the rehab works on the two bridges by August 16 instead of September 15, as its contractor agreed to hasten work schedules.

"We have reached a significant breakthrough in our discussions with our contractor so we can finish ahead of schedule and provide motorists with safer and more convenient travel before the 'ber' months begin. Barring any unforeseen events, the accelerated completion date of Bigaa Bridge is August 11, instead of August 31, and the substantial completion date for Meycauayan is August 16, instead of September 15," he said.

Bautista noted that the company has completed the southbound portion of Meycauayan Bridge. Rehab works on the northbound side started on Sunday. Meanwhile, rehab works on the northbound segment of the Bigaa bridge "is steadily progressing."

Nlex Corp. has also implemented new traffic management measures to ease traffic delays while the Meycauayan bridge rehabilitation is ongoing.

These include the opening of counterflow lanes and deploying more patrol crews and marshals on site. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also agreed to temporarily open the two-lane service road in Meycauayan so light vehicles can use it as a detour.

"We are thankful to our partners in DPWH for allowing us to use the service road for light vehicles so we can maintain four lanes in each direction to ease congestion and serve motorists better," Bautista said.

Rehab works on the two bridges started in April. It involves the replacement of girders and slabs to strengthen the structures and improve their lifespan. Bautista said these two bridges "are vital in supporting safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods between the metro and the provinces in the north."

Nlex is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

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