Tacloban City: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan has ordered the fast-tracking of the San Juanico Bridge rehabilitation to increase its load limit from 3 tons at present to 5 to 10 tons in five months. In a meeting with DPWH regional officials and consultants on Friday, Bonoan said with the available design and funds, the contractor should start the repair this June.

According to Philippines News Agency, the directive is to retrofit the bridge superstructure as early as possible to increase the load limit. Bonoan emphasized that if retrofitting is undertaken, the load limit can be increased while awaiting the completion of the second San Juanico Bridge. He stated that the rehabilitation works would be expedited since there is an available budget, noting that this is a priority program of the President.

Project consultant Angel Lazaro III has been directed to submit the design for the 10-ton load limit by June 5. Lazaro mentioned that under the original retrofitting design for 21 months of work, approximately PHP2.1 billion is needed. The target is to restore the load limit to 33 tons 21 months after the full rehabilitation of the bridge. As retrofitting progresses, the load can be increased incrementally.

The 3-ton load limit at the 53-year-old San Juanico Bridge has barred trucks and buses from crossing the 2.16-km bridge since May 15, causing logistical challenges in Leyte and Samar provinces. Several ports in the islands of Leyte and Samar have been identified as alternative roll-on, roll-off routes for cargo trucks.

Officials have previously stated that at least PHP5.68 billion is required for the full repair of the San Juanico Bridge over the next two years. Bonoan clarified that retrofitting is merely a remedial measure until an alternative Second San Juanico Bridge is constructed, with the start of the actual work for the new bridge scheduled for 2027.