The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has embarked on a significant PHP28.9-million repair project for the Biliran Bridge, which connects the island province to the Leyte mainland. The repair work commenced more than a month after the bridge gained notoriety online for its alarming wavelike movements. The DPWH Biliran district engineering office confirmed that the project kicked off this week, following the issuance of a notice to proceed earlier in the month. The contractor has begun mobilizing equipment and materials necessary for scaffolding and other preliminary repair tasks, according to DPWH Biliran officer in charge Irwin Antonio. The repair project includes the replacement of corroded bolts, steel members, and plates, as well as the installation of new finger-type expansion joints and the repair of other damaged components of the bridge. During the repair period, the bridge will continue to be accessible to light vehicles weighing five tons or less, while heavier vehicles will be transported by a barge arranged by the provincial government. Constructed in 1976, the Biliran Bridge is the sole land route for residents of Biliran to reach Leyte. Since December 23, 2024, only light vehicles such as passenger vans and SUVs have been permitted to use the bridge, following the viral spread of a video showcasing the bridge’s swaying due to faulty components.
