Minimum disruption ensured as San Juanico Bridge undergoes repairs
ICONIC SPAN San Juanico Bridge, shown in this March 2023 photo, is an iconic 2.1-kilometer span connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar across the San Juanico Strait. It used to be the country’s longest bridge until the 8.9-km Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway was completed in 2021. A second San Juanico Bridge is now in the planning stage. —Patrick Roque/contributor
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has created the San Juanico Task Group (SJTG), which will be in charge of ensuring smooth traffic flow and the implementation of security measures and rapid response efforts in relation to ongoing repairs being done on the San Juanico Bridge.
Public assistance desks have been set up on both sides of the structure to serve as the primary help point and to also streamline assistance and information dissemination, it said.
“All existing help desks and tents near the bridge will be transferred to the mega tent to enhance support services. To facilitate traffic flow, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will keep its vehicle weighing station operational, and all areas before the bridge will be cleared of obstructions. Security personnel will enforce these measures to prevent congestion and ensure safety,” the OCD added.
READ: DPWH says 2nd San Juanico Bridge to be located in Tacloban
Blue alert raised
On May 16, a blue alert status was raised over the Eastern Visayas region after a weight limit was imposed the day before on vehicles passing through the 52-year-old bridge that connects Luzon and Mindanao.
Based on an earlier assessment conducted by the DPWH, vehicles weighing more than three tons have been banned from using the bridge, which will undergo a two-year rehabilitation worth P900 million to prevent further damage.
According to the OCD, an on-site one-stop shop will be operational for franchise applications and permits for those crossing the bridge.
“Two temporary passenger terminals will be established—one in Tacloban City, Leyte, in front of Orly’s Restaurant, and another in Sta. Rita, Samar, near a food stop. U-turns and staging areas along bypass roads will help manage traffic and facilitate movement across the bridge,” it said.
Trucks rerouted
Meanwhile, heavy vehicles will be rerouted through proposed checkpoints strategically located in Sogod and Ormoc on the Leyte side, as well as in Palo, Tacloban, and Sta. Fe.
“On the Samar side, proposed checkpoints will be established in Catbalogan, Taft, Basey, and Sta. Rita. These checkpoints will enforce rerouting policies, guiding trucks away from the bridge toward alternative routes such as Ormoc, to reduce stress on the structure and enhance safety,” it said.
The OCD added that pedestrians will no longer be allowed to cross the bridge on foot. Instead, coasters and light vehicles will ferry them across to ensure safety and operational efficiency. /cb/abc
