Samar bridge upgrade completed ahead of schedule

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas has completed the first phase of strengthening works on the Calbiga Bridge in Calbiga town, Samar, two months ahead of schedule, allowing heavier vehicles to resume crossing the vital transport link under a revised traffic scheme.

The DPWH regional office announced that the Phase 1 retrofitting and strengthening project, known as portal shoring works, was completed on June 19, significantly earlier than the original target completion date of Aug. 25 this year.

With the completion of the P34-million project, Calbiga Bridge is now open to two-way traffic for heavy vehicles weighing up to 15 tons. Trucks weighing up to 30 tons may also cross the bridge under a one-way traffic scheme from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. following a structural inspection conducted by DPWH engineers.

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READ: Load limits imposed on 3 aging bridges in Cagayan, Samar

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The strengthening works were undertaken to improve the bridge’s load-bearing capacity and enhance safety for motorists using one of Eastern Visayas’ most important transport corridors.

The project was carried out in response to a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address transportation challenges faced by truckers and motorists traveling between Samar and Leyte.

DPWH Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said the completion of the portal shoring works provides additional structural support to the bridge while longer-term rehabilitation plans are being prepared.

The Calbiga Bridge, a 360-meter-long steel truss bridge along the Maharlika Highway, serves as a key gateway linking Samar to the rest of Eastern Visayas. It was placed under a 15-ton load limit on Oct. 27, 2025, after inspections revealed structural defects aggravated by repeated overloading.

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The restriction forced many cargo trucks to take a lengthy detour through the Wright–Taft–Basey route to reach Tacloban City, resulting in longer travel times and higher transport costs.

Following a visit by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon in February, the agency ordered the immediate strengthening of the bridge and the release of funds for emergency work to restore mobility for heavy vehicles and ease logistical bottlenecks in the region.

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Officials said the reopening of the bridge to heavier loads is expected to significantly reduce travel time for truckers and lower logistics costs, facilitating the faster movement of goods and services across Eastern Visayas.

The P34-million strengthening project began on May 28 and was originally scheduled for completion on Aug. 25.

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DPWH estimates that the full rehabilitation of the Calbiga Bridge will cost around P140 million and will be undertaken in phases to ensure the long-term structural integrity of the bridge. /das /atm