DPWH PROPOSES FOR A CONSTRUCTION OF A PARALLEL BILIRAN BRIDGE

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) proposes for the construction of a bridge that would connect Biliran to the mainland of Leyte. This is due to the poor condition of Biliran Bridge which can no longer accommodate large tonnage of vehicles/ cargoes.

District Engineer Ferdinand A. Briones revealed that the proposed bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing old Biliran Bridge.

“The redundant structure such as parallel or twin bridge will not only provide an alternate route but also augment the carrying capacity by effectively adding more tonnage and lanes for traffic.,” said Briones.

According to the District Engineer, the Bridges Management Cluster (BMC)- Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) of DPWH Central Office has already conducted site validation of the proposed bridge on Thursday, March 25.

The said site validation was headed by Engr. Arvin D. Sanchez, BMC-UPMO together with Engr. Patrick James F. Supan, BMC-UPMO and Engr. John Lemuel A. Pica from DPWH Regional Office VIII in coordination with Engr. Gene F. Delfin, DPWH Biliran DEO Bridge Management System (BMS) District Coordinator.

Delfin revealed that the proposed bridge is already included in the FY 2022 Regional Budget Proposal (RDP) with an estimated amount of P500M.

“However, based on the site validation, the BMC-UPMO will still conduct thorough planning if the bridge will be constructed in two lanes or four lanes,” said Engr. Delfin.

As per site validation, Delfin revealed that the parallel Biliran Bridge will be constructed on the right side of the existing Biliran Bridge (Biliran side) because the problem on Road-Right-of-Way (RROW) is lesser.

She added that the preparation of Detailed Engineering Design will be conducted by the BMC-UPMO in the 2nd semester of 2021 and possibly be implemented under the FY 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Delfin revealed that there is also a possibility of constructing a bridge at the Nasunugan Spillway which is also considered a critical link to Biliran Bridge.

The existing Biliran Bridge which was inaugurated in 1976 is already showing deterioration, thus a construction of parallel bridge is recommended.

The Biliran Bridge is considered a major bridge because this is the only link of the Province by land not only in going to Leyte and Samar but to the other parts of the country.