Agas-Agas Bridge
Agas-Agas Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Coordinates | 10°29′50″N 124°59′53″E / 10.4972523°N 124.9979911°E |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  AH 26 (N1), vehicular traffic and pedestrians |
| Locale | Sogod, Southern Leyte |
| Maintained by | Department of Public Works and Highways |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | beam bridge |
| Material | Prestressed concrete |
| Total length | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Width | 9.60 m (31.5 ft)[1] |
| Height | 89 m (292 ft) |
| Load limit | 20 metric tons (20 long tons; 22 short tons) |
| No. of lanes | Two-lane single carriageway |
| Design life | 30 years[1] |
| History | |
| Construction start | November 17, 2006[2] |
| Construction end | August 2, 2009[2] |
| Construction cost | ₱1.024 billion |
| Location | |
 | |
The Agas-Agas Bridge is a prestressed concrete beam bridge on the Pan-Philippine Highway. The ₱1.024-billion bridge was funded partially by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. With a length of about 350 meters (1,150 ft) and a height of 89 meters (292 ft) above ground,[3] the center span of the structure measures 177 meters (581 ft) in length supported by two piers measuring 73 meters (240 ft) and 75 meters (246 ft) from the ground.[4]
The mountainous Agas-Agas section of the Pan-Philippine Highway in Southern Leyte is prone to landslides during heavy rains, much more when a typhoon strikes the province. The bridge was constructed in 2006 to avoid the troublesome section and cut down the driving time for motorists.[5]
Tourism
[edit]Seeing its high tourism potential the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) submitted to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the plan to turn the bridge into a haven for enthusiasts of bungee jumping, paramotor, downhill skateboarding, zip-line, rappelling and other extreme sports. On August 9, 2009, the president signed the construction of the bungee jumping platform along the bridge as well as other tourism amenities.[6]
The Agas-Agas Bridge zipline, now known as "Zipline Leyte", opened in April 2011.[3] The twin zipline, one of the longest in the country at 880 meters (2,890 ft), glides diagonally above the bridge and the riverine below it.[7] A Provincial Pavilion complete with a parking lot and food and souvenir kiosks has been constructed atop a promontory overlooking the deep ravine of the nearby gorge.[8] The Agas Agas Bridge also has a spacious parking space, food kiosks and a tourist pavilion.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Detailed Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Esplanada, Jerry E.(2015-02-11). "Highest bridge in PH in danger of collapsing". Inquirer.net. Retrieved on 2016-11-30.
- ^ a b (2011-04-16). "Agas-Agas zipline launched". Sunstar.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
- ^ Sakowski (2012-05-04). "Agas-Agas Bridge". Highest Bridges.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
- ^ (2010-08). "Agas Agas Bridge Construction – Leyte". Dutchpickle.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
- ^ "Agas-Agas Bridge: The Highest Bridge in the Philippines". vigattintourism.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ GMA Public Affairs. (2013-10-13). "Drew Arellano takes a zipline across the Agas-Agas bridge in Southern Leyte (Biyahe ni Drew)". YouTube.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15. archived at Ghostarchive.org on May 8, 2022
- ^ Gorne, Es (April 11, 2011). "Zip Southern Leyte in Sogod completes construction, opens to public soon". pia.gov.ph. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
- ^ "SOAR HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE THROUGH AGAS AGAS BRIDGE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE". DriftyWood Journeys. October 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.