AUTHORITIES have imposed restrictions on the use of San Juanico Bridge, one of the country’s longest bridges, which links Samar and Leyte, due to “potential damage to structural components.”
In a statement yesterday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said only vehicles weighing a maximum of three metric tons are allowed to cross the 2.19-kilometer bridge which was inaugurated in July 1973.
The OCD said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued a memorandum on May 8, implementing a “temporary axle load limit” of three tons for all vehicles passing the bridge.
It said the measure “aims to prevent further deterioration and to protect both travelers and local communities.”
“The recent assessment identified potential damage to some structural components of the bridge, prompting authorities to restrict heavier vehicles and implement traffic controls,” it said.
It said OCD Eastern Visayas director Lord Byron Torrecarion has also issued a memorandum to concerned disaster risk reduction and management units, stating that “only light vehicles not exceeding three metric tons axle load are allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge.”
“Only light vehicles weighing below three tons are permitted to cross, with traffic monitoring in place to prevent overloads and mitigate risks,” the agency said.
“All vehicles must traverse along the bridge centerline and proceed one at a time, in strict compliance with on-site traffic management personnel. Heavy vehicles, including commercial cargo trucks and buses, are prohibited from using the bridge until further notice,” it added.
The OCD said these restrictions are meant to “safeguard public safety and minimize structural stress while urgent repair and maintenance works are coordinated.”
It said a joint task force has been stationed at strategic points for vehicle weighing, traffic checks, and enforcement activities “to prevent overloads, ensure safety, and facilitate smooth traffic flow.”
The OCD said the team is composed of personnel from the DPWH, PNP and the Armed Forces.
“Our primary goal is to safeguard the public and prevent any tragedy,” said OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno. “President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has emphasized the importance of strict enforcement of the weight limit and coordination with local government units.”
As a temporary solution, Nepomuceno said the President has ordered the use of roll-on/roll-off vessels “to maintain connectivity while we address the structural issues.”
“Our goal is to prevent incidents and ensure our infrastructure can withstand natural hazards,” said Nepomuceno.
“President Marcos has instructed us to ensure that our roads and bridges are resilient against earthquakes and other risks, so tragedies like the collapse of the Isabela Bridge are not repeated,” added Nepomuceno.
Nepomuceno was referring to the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta Maria Bridge in Isabela province last February, leaving six people injured.
