DPWH to paint steel bridges in orange to conform to international safety standards

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
November 25, 2012

PALO, Leyte  –  Very soon, all the steel bridges in Eastern Visayas will be painted with orange to conform to International Safety Standards.

This was learned from Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Eastern Visayas Regional Director Rolando Asis who said that the painting of steel bridges with orange will start before the end of 2012.

DPWH Regional Director Rolando Asis said the region has more than six linear kilometers of steel bridges that will be painted with orange as directed by Secretary Rogelio Singson through Department Order Number 74 issued last month.

“The use of this color will identify bridges constructed by our office, increase bridge visibility and will protect the bridge from the danger of rust from moisture,” Director Asis said.

International orange, commonly referred as safety orange, is also used in engineering particularly in warning signs for road construction sites, the regional director explained.

Painting workmanship on metal surfaces would be in accordance with the DPWH Standard Specifications for Public Works Structures, in consonance with the policy direction of the department to improve the quality of infrastructure projects.

This project will be funded through maintenance budget for bridges allocated for the region’s district engineering offices.

The Regional Office earlier reported that 40 bridges in the region were identified either for replacement or strengthening, to withstand seismic activities, with the central government allotting P453.76 million for the project.

Majority or P353.44 million budget will be allocated for strengthening of existing bridges, P93.31 million for replacement of temporary bridges, and P7 million for completion of ongoing construction.

The region has 863 bridges with a total length 33.845 kilometers, with 33.16 kilometers classified as permanent (829 bridges) and .67 kilometers categorized as temporary (34 bridges).

Director Asis informed most of the bridges are situated along primary roads with few built in secondary roads.