The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to construct a second San Juanico Bridge amid the total rehabilitation of the 52-year-old iconic bridge that connects Samar and Leyte provinces, which will take at least two years to complete.
Public works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the detailed engineering design of the proposed 2,600-meter long second San Juanico bridge will be completed by 2026.
Meanwhile, the DPWH said the load capacity of the San Juanico Bridge may be raised from three to 10 tons by the end of the year to avoid interruptions in the transportation of goods and essential supplies to and from Leyte and Samar.
The 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.
“If we’re able to increase the load limit, I think we might be able to increase it up to 10 tons actually. Maybe last quarter,” Bonoan said.
The load limit on vehicles, however, has raised concerns about its possible impact on the prices of goods in the region.
Due to significant structural deterioration, the DPWH has implemented restrictions allowing only vehicles under three tons to use the bridge, with repairs expected to take up to two years.
“The Philippine Ports Authority is actually trying to make alternative routes from Luzon going already to Leyte without passing San Juanico Bridge,” said Bonoan.
