Motorists and commuters in Eastern Visayas can now heave a sigh of relief, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) finally lifted the load limits on yet another vital bridge linking the region.
DPWH - Region 8 officials said vehicles of up to 15 tons can now pass through the Liloan Bridge in Southern Leyte, following a year of rehabilitation works necessitated by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the province last January 2025.
Authorities were forced to impose a five-ton limit on the bridge, severely curtailing the passage of large trucks and buses and forcing motorists to endure longer travel times.
DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon said in a statement on Wednesday that the bridge can accommodate two-way traffic following the completion of a P80-million rehabilitation project that consists of shoring works to the structure.
“The completion of the retrofitting and strengthening works significantly improved the structural integrity and safety of Lilo-an Steel Bridge. The installation of the shoring system and the strengthening of the steel main girder restored the bridge's load-carrying capacity and extended its service life,” Tabacon stated.
With the increased load limit, more buses and cargo trucks traveling between Leyte and Mindanao need not use more expensive barging services or take longer alternative land routes.
The Liloan Bridge serves as a vital link to the ports of Liloan and San Ricardo in Southern Leyte, where regular roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ferry services connect the province to Lipata Port in Surigao del Norte.
The route is a key component of the country's eastern nautical highway, facilitating the transport of passengers and cargo between the Visayas and Mindanao.
(With report from PNA)
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