Japanese experts are currently assessing the proposed long-span Luzon-Samar Bridge connecting the provinces of Northern Samar and Sorsogon.
The week-long evaluation will check the coverage and requirements for the pre-feasibility study, which will encompass the Luzon-Samar-Leyte-Mindanao linkage, the Northern Samar provincial government announced on Monday.
Composed of experts from the Infrastructure Development Institute (IDI) -Japan and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the team will be exploring engineering solutions such as maximum single-span length and deep-water foundations, like bridges in Italy and Greece, the provincial government stated.
The planned construction of the Luzon-Samar Bridge would significantly reduce travel time between major islands and fill the gaps in the country’s main trunk line.
During the assessment, the team would visit the ports of Matnog in Sorsogon, and Allen in Northern Samar for the bathymetric surveys, which is a type of water-based survey that maps the depths and shapes of underwater terrain.
The team is expected to complete the assessment on Nov. 17.
The IDI-Japan team visit is part of the response to the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council resolution for the second feasibility study of the Sorsogon-Samar bridge after the initial study in 2019 found the project “not economically viable.”
The resolution signed on Sept. 18, 2023, also asked the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) central office to include the project in the infrastructure flagship projects list.
The Sorsogon-Samar project, with an estimated budget of PHP257 billion to PHP766 billion, consists of three long-span bridges – Allen to San Antonio in Northern Samar, San Antonio to Capul in Northern Samar, and Capul, Northern Samar to Matnog, Sorsogon.
Other options include the construction of a submerged floating tunnel and a deep-sea tunnel.
For decades, roll-on roll-off (RoRo) ferries have crossed the San Bernardino Strait, carrying passengers and vehicles to and from Allen Port and Matnog Port in Sorsogon. With a distance of 28 km., the average travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.
Officials pushed for the long-span bridge link construction after members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry raised the lingering issues of long queuing and congestion in Matnog port, delaying the transport of supplies from Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao. (PNA)
