DPWH imposes 3-ton limit due to structural concerns
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE — In the wake of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) imposing a 3-ton axle load limit on the iconic San Juanico Bridge due to structural concerns, the Tacloban City government has initiated a series of measures to mitigate the impact on transportation and commerce between Leyte and Samar.
The San Juanico Bridge, a vital link in the Pan-Philippine Highway, has been restricted to light vehicles and pedestrians following the DPWH's assessment that the bridge's aging structure requires immediate attention. The Angel Lazaro and Associates International consultancy's report revealed that the Demand-Capacity Ratio (DCR) of the bridge has reached 2.18 — significantly exceeding the normal standard of 1.0 or below. This figure indicates a critically overstressed structure. The reinforced concrete slab, which has not been replaced since the bridge's inauguration in 1969, has retained only 25–30% of its original strength.
Further structural vulnerabilities identified include bending, shear, and axial load failures — all of which pose serious safety hazards if not addressed immediately.
In an emergency meeting with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), DPWH officials disclosed that the complete rehabilitation of the bridge could take anywhere from 1 to 2 years of continuous repair work. In the interim, a live load restriction of 3 tons has been imposed as a short-term solution, allowing only light vehicles and pedestrian traffic to use the bridge.