San Juanico Bridge load limit may be increased before yearend – DPWH
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 nowin the planning stage. (PATRICK ROQUE/CONTRIBUTOR)
MANILA, Philippines — The load limit on San Juanico Bridge may be increased from three tons to 10 tons by the last quarter of the year, according to Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas imposed a temporary weight limit on vehicles crossing the bridge between Samar and Leyte starting May 14 in preparation for major repairs on the 52-year-old structure.
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“If we’re able to do increase the load limit, I think we might be able to increase it up to ten tons actually. Maybe last quarter,” Bonoan said at a Palace briefing.
The load limit on vehicles, however, has raised concerns about its possible impact on the prices of goods in the region.
“The Philippine Ports Authority is actually trying to make alternative routes from Luzon going already to Leyte without passing San Juanico Bridge,” said Bonoan.
“I think the primary consideration here is to provide the safety access. We don’t really want to compromise, actually, the safety of the motorists that will be passing through San Juanico Bridge po,” he added.
READ: All set for second San Juanico bridge
Meanwhile, Bonoan said the proposed second San Juanico Bridge is currently in the detailed engineering design stage, set for completion in 2026.
The new 2,600-meter-long bridge will be funded by the Japanese government, he added.
