The current load limit set at 15-ton
TACLOBAN CITY — Heavier vehicles weighing up to 30 tons may soon be allowed to cross the San Juanico Bridge as authorities study further easing of load restrictions following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s inspection of the landmark structure and the steady progress of its rehabilitation works.
Mayor Alfred Romualdez said the possible increase in the allowable load comes after President Marcos directed the city government and concerned agencies to assess the feasibility of permitting heavier trucks beyond the current 15-ton limit, which was restored on Dec.12 after months of strict restrictions.
The San Juanico Bridge, which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, had been limited to light vehicles of three-tons since May after structural defects were discovered, disrupting the movement of goods and people in Eastern Visayas.
On Friday, Dec. 12, President Marcos announced the increase of the load limit from three tons to 15 tons, restoring two-way traffic on the 2.16-kilometer bridge.
Romualdez said any move to allow 30-ton vehicles will be subject to strict traffic management measures, including one-way traffic operations and limiting the passage of heavier trucks to off-peak hours, possibly between 10 p.m. and early morning, when traffic volume is significantly lower.
He stressed that strict enforcement of the 15-ton limit remains in place as authorities prepare for the next phase. All vehicles are required to undergo mandatory weighing before entering the bridge, with both fixed and portable weighing scales on standby to ensure continuous monitoring.
“What will happen now, before entering the bridge, there is a weighing scale that will weigh all the vehicles that will pass the bridge. We will be strict on this,” Romualdez said in a media interview on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The mayor warned that drivers who violate the load limit may face penalties, including the suspension or cancellation of their driver’s licenses, noting that compliance is crucial to avoid compromising the ongoing retrofitting works.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) earlier reported that it met its December 15 target to increase the bridge’s load capacity. During his visit, President Marcos expressed satisfaction with the pace of the rehabilitation, emphasizing its importance in sustaining economic activity and regional connectivity.
The President also said the P1.1-billion retrofitting project is targeted for completion by the third quarter of 2026, with plans to eventually allow trucks heavier than 15 tons to use the bridge under controlled conditions.
Romualdez welcomed the national government’s commitment, saying he hopes the bridge will undergo not only retrofitting but full long-term rehabilitation, given its critical role in transportation and commerce. On average, about 14,000 vehicles cross the San Juanico Bridge daily, including around 1,400 trucks recorded during the period of strict load restrictions.
LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA, JOEY A. GABIETA
