Agas-Agas Bridge

Coordinates: 10°29′50″N 124°59′53″E / 10.4972523°N 124.9979911°E / 10.4972523; 124.9979911
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Agas-Agas Bridge
Coordinates10°29′50″N 124°59′53″E / 10.4972523°N 124.9979911°E / 10.4972523; 124.9979911
Carries2 lanes of AH 26 (N1), vehicular traffic and pedestrians
LocaleSogod, Southern Leyte
Maintained byDepartment of Public Works and Highways
Characteristics
Designbeam bridge
MaterialPrestressed concrete
Total length350 m (1,150 ft)
Width9.60 m (31.5 ft)[1]
Height89 m (292 ft)
No. of lanesTwo-lane single carriageway
Design life30 years[1]
History
Construction startNovember 17, 2006 (2006-11-17)[2]
Construction endAugust 2, 2009 (2009-08-03)[2]
Construction cost1.024 billion
Location
Map

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 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]

  1. ^ a b "Detailed Bridge Inventory". Department of Public Works and Highways. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Esplanada, Jerry E.(2015-02-11). "Highest bridge in PH in danger of collapsing". Inquirer.net. Retrieved on 2016-11-30.
  3. ^ a b (2011-04-16). "Agas-Agas zipline launched". Sunstar.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
  4. ^ Sakowski (2012-05-04). "Agas-Agas Bridge". Highest Bridges.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
  5. ^ (2010-08). "Agas Agas Bridge Construction – Leyte". Dutchpickle.com. Retrieved on 2014-03-15.
  6. ^ "Agas-Agas Bridge: The Highest Bridge in the Philippines". vigattintourism.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ Gorne, Es (April 11, 2011). "Zip Southern Leyte in Sogod completes construction, opens to public soon". pia.gov.ph. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  9. ^ "SOAR HIGH LIKE AN EAGLE THROUGH AGAS AGAS BRIDGE OF SOUTHERN LEYTE". DriftyWood Journeys. October 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2018.