Manila: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Thursday that the Biliran Bridge has been restored to its original 15-ton maximum allowable load capacity and is now open to all types of vehicles.
According to Philippines News Agency, DPWH Biliran district engineer Irwin Antonio stated that the lifting of the previous vehicle-type restrictions followed the completion of the replacement of the bridge's expansion joints, allowing the structure to return to its prescribed load capacity before the bridge-swaying incident on December 23, 2024.
The Biliran Bridge serves as a vital transportation link and the only road connection between Biliran province and neighboring Leyte Island. Antonio clarified that all types of vehicles are now permitted to cross the bridge, provided their total load does not exceed the 15-ton maximum allowable capacity.
The load capacity was restored after the completion of the PHP30-million major rehabilitation project, which aimed to reinforce safety and durability. The work focused on repairing damaged steel components flagged during recent structural inspections.
To ensure the safety of motorists and preserve the bridge's structural integrity, DPWH requires motorists to observe specific regulations while crossing the bridge: no shifting of gears, only one vehicle at a time is allowed to cross, and vehicles must maintain a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour.
Antonio emphasized the need for strict compliance with these regulations and called for the cooperation of motorists to ensure the continued safety and usability of the vital infrastructure.
From late December 2024 to late October 2025, only light vehicles, five tons or below, were allowed to cross after a viral video showed the bridge swaying due to defective components. Biliran Bridge reopened to heavy vehicles in the last quarter of 2025, although the load capacity limit was still strictly enforced.
Originally constructed in 1976, the nearly 50-year-old bridge serves as a crucial economic lifeline, facilitating daily transport of people, goods, and services between Biliran and Leyte.
