Biliran Bridge rehabilitation nears completion

FINAL STRETCH Workers carry out expansion-joint replacement and repainting works on the Biliran Bridge as the P30-million rehabilitation project enters its final phase. —DPWH-BILIRAN PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — Rehabilitation works on the nearly 50-year-old Biliran Bridge are nearing completion, with final improvements now underway to further enhance the safety and durability of the province’s only permanent land link to Leyte.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Biliran District Engineering Office said Tuesday that the P30-million repair and strengthening project has entered its final phase, with workers currently replacing expansion joints and repainting the bridge’s iconic steel arch structure.

The repairs were undertaken after structural inspections identified damaged steel components that required immediate attention to ensure the continued safe operation of the 150-meter bridge.

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

Structural integrity

District engineer Irwin Antonio said the remaining works are essential to preserving the long-term integrity of the structure, which serves as a vital transportation corridor for people, goods, and essential services between Biliran and Leyte.

“We ask for the public’s understanding and cooperation while the remaining works are being carried out. These improvements are necessary to further enhance the safety, functionality, and service life of this important infrastructure while keeping it open to motorists,” Antonio said in a statement.

READ: DPWH finds ‘structural defects’ in Biliran bridge

The replacement of expansion joints is intended to allow the bridge to safely absorb movement caused by temperature changes, traffic loads, and the natural expansion and contraction of the structure. Engineers said the work will help maintain the bridge’s structural integrity and extend its service life.

While the expansion-joint replacement is ongoing, only one lane remains open to traffic. However, the bridge continues to operate 24 hours a day for motorists complying with the prescribed load and axle-load restrictions.

The bridge has been under a 15-ton load limit since December 2024 following a structural inspection prompted by a viral social media video showing the bridge visibly swaying.

Barge services

Vehicles exceeding the allowable weight are prohibited from crossing and are instead required to use barge services between Biliran and Leyte to transport cargo and heavy equipment.

Built in 1976, the Biliran Bridge remains the province’s most important transport link, connecting Biliran Island to Leyte and the rest of Eastern Visayas.

As part of a long-term strategy to preserve and further strengthen the aging structure, the DPWH has proposed a P266-million retrofitting project that includes the installation of additional support systems and the reinforcement of aging steel components.

Important landmark

The proposal is included in the agency’s budget request for 2027.

Meanwhile, plans are moving forward for a P1.72-billion parallel bridge project with funding support from the Asian Development Bank. The proposed structure is currently undergoing feasibility studies and other pre-engineering activities to determine its viability.

Despite plans to build a new bridge, authorities said the existing Biliran Bridge will be preserved as an important landmark and enduring symbol of connectivity for the province.