The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has embarked on a PHP28.9-million repair project for the Biliran Bridge, which connects the island province to the Leyte mainland. The decision to repair the bridge came over a month after it gained widespread attention online for its noticeable wavelike movements. The repair work, which began this week, follows the issuance of a notice to proceed earlier in the month. According to Irwin Antonio, the officer in charge at DPWH Biliran, the contractor has started mobilizing equipment and materials necessary for scaffolding and other preliminary repair tasks. The project encompasses 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 parts of the bridge. During the repair period, the bridge will continue to be accessible to light vehicles weighing up to five tons, 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 video that highlighted its swaying due to faulty components.
