Mayor orders strict enforcement of San Juanico Bridge load limit
TACLOBAN CITY—Mayor Alfred Romualdez of this city on Saturday vowed strict enforcement of the newly imposed 15-ton load limit at San Juanico Bridge, warning truck drivers against violations as heavier vehicles are once again allowed to cross the vital structure linking the islands of Leyte and Samar.
The mayor’s statement came after President Marcos on Friday officially reopened the bridge and announced the increase in its load limit from three tons to 15 tons.
The bridge had been restricted to light vehicles since last May following the discovery of structural defects, prompting months of traffic limitations that affected the movement of goods and people in Eastern Visayas.
With the higher load limit now in effect, trucks and other heavier vehicles weighing not more than 15 tons are permitted to cross the 2.16-kilometer bridge that crosses the San Juanico Strait between Tacloban City in Leyte and Sta. Rita town in Samar.
Two-way traffic has also been restored, replacing the previous one-lane setup implemented during the three-ton load restriction.
Mandatory weighing
Romualdez said all vehicles will be subjected to mandatory weighing before entering the bridge in Tacloban City, stressing that the city government will be uncompromising in enforcing the limit.
“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 also said in a media interview on Saturday.
He added contingency measures are in place to ensure continuous enforcement. “And in any eventuality, if the weighing scale breaks down, there is a portable weighing scale on standby, so we are really making sure,” he said.
Motorists found violating the 15-ton load limit could face sanctions, including the suspension or cancellation of their driver’s licenses, the mayor said.
“I will ask Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to help suspend their driver’s licenses,” Romualdez said, as he emphasized that strict compliance with the load limit is necessary to ensure that the ongoing retrofitting works on the bridge will not be compromised.
Connectivity
Romualdez also welcomed the national government’s commitment to the rehabilitation of San Juanico Bridge, saying he is pleased with President Marcos’ efforts to fast-track the project.
The President said earlier the P1.1-billion retrofitting work is targeted for completion by the third quarter of 2026.
Mr. Marcos also disclosed plans to eventually allow trucks weighing more than 15 tons to use the bridge during off-peak hours, possibly from 10 p.m. until early morning, with only one lane open to traffic.
Romualdez said he hoped the bridge would not only be retrofitted but fully rehabilitated in the long term. He cited its crucial role in regional and national connectivity, transportation and economic activity.
On average, about 14,000 vehicles cross San Juanico Bridge daily, including about 1,400 cargo trucks identified during the period when the load ban was in effect.
