As proposed by JICA
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), speaking through its regional director, Edgar Tabacon, confirmed the relocation of the proposed second San Juanico Bridge from Babatngon town to Tacloban City.
Tabacon stated that the DPWH Unified Monitoring Office cited several reasons for the change in location of the proposed second bridge.
“One is access to two-way traffic. If the new bridge is close to the existing one, one bridge can be designated for Leyte-bound vehicles, while the other can be for Samar-bound vehicles,” he said.
Another consideration is the bridge’s sustainability. If the new bridge is near the existing one, he said, maintenance activities are more manageable since there are already operating maintenance stations on both the Leyte and Samar sides of the existing San Juanico Bridge.
In contrast, if the new bridge were in Babatngon, a new maintenance station would need to be built, Tabacon added.
Additionally, the proximity of the new bridge to Tacloban City, the regional capital of Eastern Visayas, was a factor in the decision.
Under the previous plan, the second San Juanico Bridge would cross the Janbatas Channel, part of the San Juanico Strait separating Samar and Leyte, connecting Babatngon, Leyte, and Sta. Rita, Samar.
In the new proposal, the bridge will be located just a few meters from the existing one, connecting Tacloban and Sta. Rita.
Tabacon noted that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) presented the Tacloban site as the most feasible option after several consultations.
The new location is the shortest at 1.2 kilometers, resulting in a lower budget.
The JICA study team for the 2nd San Juanico Bridge project began its first of four on-site visits to the bridge route options on November 17, 2023.
The team conducted their second on-site study in the first quarter of this year, with the third assessment scheduled for July and the final visit in September 2024.
JICA is expected to complete their final feasibility study report and detailed engineering design by December 2024.
Tabacon is hopeful that construction of the second San Juanico Bridge will start during President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ term.
He explained that the project requires time, including a feasibility study, loan agreement processing and procurement after which civil works can begin.
Citizens, motorists, and officials of Eastern Visayas have been advocating for the construction of an alternate bridge due to the deteriorating condition of the existing bridge and increasing traffic.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
