Department of Public Works & Highways secretary Jun Ebdane has ordered greater use of salvaged steel bridge trusses for the construction of smaller crossings. “Development could be achieved in the countryside despite meager resources in our national coffers,” Ebdane said. “Instead of selling these steel components from old bridges as junk, we can still use them to construct smaller bridges." The concept was first tested 10 years ago when a 400m-long bridge was buillt using steel from the old Carmen Bridge, saving US$1.6 million.