New Bridge to Improve San Juanico Traffic
A new bridge funded by the Japanese government will soon be built between Santa Rita town in Samar and Tacloban City. This project supports the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) efforts to retrofit the San Juanico Bridge and maintain vital connectivity across Eastern Visayas. The four-word keyphrase “San Juanico traffic support” highlights the main goal of this infrastructure upgrade.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the new bridge will be constructed adjacent to the current San Juanico Bridge and will be longer in length. It is one of the Marcos administration’s major infrastructure projects designed to strengthen inter-island mobility in the region.
Long-Term Solution for San Juanico Traffic Support
The new structure will serve as an alternative route, allowing the existing San Juanico Bridge to undergo full rehabilitation once the new bridge is operational. This dual approach ensures continuous connectivity while addressing safety concerns.
Currently, DPWH engineers are conducting retrofitting work on the 50-year-old San Juanico Bridge. A recent safety assessment revealed that while the bridge’s main truss remains stable, some approach sections are structurally compromised. A preliminary report by local experts described these sections as “very precarious,” leading to the enforcement of a three-ton weight limit. This restriction prevents heavy vehicles, such as buses and cargo trucks, from crossing the bridge to avoid further damage.
Measures to Minimize Disruption Amid Upgrades
To reduce inconvenience for travelers and transporters, the DPWH has coordinated with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and local governments to enhance ferry services between Samar and Leyte. These improved ferry routes provide an alternative for both passengers and goods during the bridge’s rehabilitation period.
Light vehicles continue to be allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge. Meanwhile, heavy trucks are rerouted through the upgraded ferry system until the new bridge is completed, which is targeted for completion by 2027 or soon after.
Future Weight Limit Increase
Officials indicate that the current weight limit may be raised from three tons to 10 tons by the last quarter of 2025. This change will come after finishing the initial retrofitting phase, allowing most commercial vehicles—except the heaviest haulers—to use the bridge again.
Significance of San Juanico Bridge and Traffic Support
As the longest bridge in the Philippines, the San Juanico Bridge plays a crucial role in trade and travel throughout Eastern Visayas. The government’s strategy of combining retrofitting with a new bridge aims to protect public safety while ensuring continuous connectivity during these essential upgrades.
Sources indicate the Japanese-funded new bridge will be a vital addition to the region’s infrastructure, providing a reliable long-term solution for managing San Juanico traffic support challenges.
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