By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Following the discovery of issues related to the structural integrity of the San Juanico Bridge and the creation of a multi-agency task force responsible for managing the situation on the ground, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has shared updates on the rehabilitation of the 52-year-old structure, as well as the timeline of when it can gradually reopen to motorists.

At the Palace press briefing on Wednesday, May 21, DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan discussed the steps being taken by the San Juanico Task Group (SJTG) to address the transport bottlenecks caused by the ailing bridge, with an imposed weight limit of 3 tons significantly affecting the movement of goods between the islands of Samar and Leyte.

Secretary Bonoan said, “Unfortunately po, in the preliminary assessment of the San Juanico Bridge, doon po sa approach structures—hindi po iyong main structure ha, the main structure is intact—doon po sa approach structures, may nakita po na mga segments that are already in the state of deterioration sa ibaba so, and it was recommended that dapat i-close na kaagad.”

“Sa ngayon, as I speak, ginagawa po iyong immediate retrofitting doon sa mga segments that are found to be deteriorated at saka dangerous for heavy loads ‘no. So, ito po iyong ngayon, ang [gagawin] namin dito is we are expediting the process. In the meantime, nakipag-coordinate po kami with the local governments, the Philippine Ports Authority and doon sa PNP for the control of traffic,” he added.

The Public Works Chief has also expressed optimism that the load limit of the iconic bridge will return to its original capacity of 10 tons once the major repairs are completed. He expects that it will take place in the last quarter of the year.

A replacement for the iconic bridge?

Meanwhile, at the same press briefing, Secretary Bonoan also disclosed that his agency is in the process of conducting studies about building a new, longer bridge near San Juanico Bridge.

“Now, this is now in the works, because the new bridge is now under preparation; in fact, this will [be] one of the flagship projects under this administration and ito po ay [mapopondohan] ng Japanese government. It’s now under detailed engineering design,” he said.

“We hope that the detailed engineering design will be completed by 2026 and thereafter, the construction will follow immediately.” the Public Works mouthpiece added.

Secretary Bonoan clarified that this proposed project would entail the construction of a permanent bridge, which spans 2,600 meters in length and will be longer than the iconic bridge linking the islands of Samar and Leyte in Eastern Visayas.

As the project remains in the early stages of development, other details, such as the budget allocated for its construction, are yet to be determined.

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