The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing a PHP266-million retrofitting project designed to future-proof the aging structure of Biliran Bridge, the lone permanent link connecting Biliran province to mainland Leyte.

DPWH Biliran District Engineer Irwin Antonio said the proposal has been formally submitted for inclusion in the agency’s 2027 national budget cycle.

“The proposed retrofitting aims to install additional support structures and further reinforce the bridge’s aging steel components,” Antonio said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the ongoing PHP30-million major rehabilitation of the bridge is nearing completion, with final touches underway to reinforce safety and durability. The work focuses on repairing damaged steel components flagged during recent structural inspections.

The final phase involves replacing the bridge’s expansion joints and repainting its iconic arch structure.

“Replacing the expansion joints is critical to ensuring the bridge can safely absorb structural movements caused by temperature shifts, heavy vehicular loads, and natural expansion and contraction, ultimately extending the service life of the infrastructure,” Antonio said.

While replacement work is ongoing, traffic has been limited to a single lane, but the bridge remains open 24/7 to motorists who strictly adhere to load limits and axle restrictions.

From late December 2024 to late October 2025, only light vehicles (five tons or below) were allowed to cross after a viral video showed the bridge swaying due to defective components.

Originally constructed in 1976, the nearly 50-year-old bridge serves as a vital economic lifeline, facilitating daily transport of people, goods, and services between Biliran and Leyte.

“We ask for the public’s understanding and cooperation as we finish the remaining works on the bridge. These upgrades are necessary to further enhance the safety, functionality, and service life of this vital infrastructure while keeping it accessible to motorists,” Antonio said. (PNA)