Biliran’s ‘swaying’ bridge gets P30 million for repair

VITAL SPAN Biliran Bridge, a key span transporting goods and people between the islands of Biliran and Leyte, is found to have “structural defects” that need immediate repair, prompting authorities to limit load to only up to 5 tons while corrective work is ongoing.

VITAL SPAN Biliran Bridge, a key span transporting goods and people between the islands of Biliran and Leyte, is found to have “structural defects” that need immediate repair, prompting authorities to limit the load to only up to 5 tons while corrective work is ongoing. —Photo courtesy of Biliran Island/Facebook

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has released P30 million for the repair of the Biliran Bridge, which was found to have structural defects.

DPWH-Biliran District Engineering Office head Irwin Antonio said the funding was released on Jan. 16 to immediately fix the 49-year-old structure, a vital span linking Biliran and Leyte Islands.

READ: Biliran in state of calamity due to limited capacity of vital bridge

“Restoring this vital structure will secure the mobility and safety of the Biliran community while supporting the province’s economic activities,” Antonio said in a Jan. 16 statement.

He assured the public that the bridge would remain operational during the repair work, although there would be some restrictions, such as limiting the load to vehicles weighing 5 tons or less.

The repair was prompted by a viral video last December, which showed the bridge “swaying.” —Joey Gabieta

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