Tacloban Gears Up for Increased Truck Traffic with RoRo Route
The city government of Tacloban is taking proactive steps to manage the expected rise in truck traffic in the downtown area with the upcoming opening of the Tacloban-Amandayehan roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) route. This development comes amid limited access to the San Juanico Bridge, a key connection between Samar and Leyte islands.
Since May 15, the San Juanico Bridge has restricted vehicles weighing over three tons due to a two-year rehabilitation project. This iconic bridge, completed in 1973, serves as the sole link connecting Samar and Leyte and forms part of the nautical highway that links Luzon to Mindanao.
The Tacloban-Amandayehan RoRo route has been identified as the most efficient path between Samar and Leyte, cutting travel time to under 30 minutes. This new route is expected to ease transport challenges caused by the bridge’s load restrictions.
City Measures to Manage Truck Flow and Traffic
Mayor Alfred Romualdez shared that the truck ban will be lifted once the new RoRo route is operational. “We also identified areas where cargo trucks can park while waiting for their turn to embark the RoRo vessel at the Tacloban port,” he said. Currently, trucks with six wheels or more are banned from entering Tacloban’s downtown area from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
To prevent traffic disruptions, the city has designated the Tacloban Bypass Road as a truck stop. On the first day of the San Juanico Bridge load limit, officials moved stranded trucks to this bypass extension to avoid congestion near the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. “We did that because we want to make sure that there’s no traffic jam along the road leading to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center. We will also do that downtown because many people come here every day,” the mayor added.
Government Efforts to Ensure Smooth Supply Movement
The city’s preparations follow a request from the national transportation authorities to make the Amandayehan Port in Basey, Samar, fully functional within two weeks. This move aims to address logistical challenges caused by the San Juanico Bridge restrictions and maintain uninterrupted supply flow between Leyte and Samar.
Currently, most cargo trucks use the longer RoRo route connecting Calbayog City in Samar to Ormoc City in Leyte, which takes about 13 hours. The new Tacloban-Amandayehan route is expected to significantly shorten travel time and improve efficiency.
Local experts note that the government’s swift actions demonstrate a commitment to minimizing disruptions during the bridge rehabilitation. As the new RoRo route opens, Tacloban residents and businesses alike anticipate smoother transport and less congestion.
For more news and updates on Tacloban transportation developments, visit Filipinokami.com.
