Storm-damaged Biliran bridge now open to light vehicles

 TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 12  -- A major bridge in Biliran that collapsed when Tropical Storm Urduja ravaged the province mid-December is now passable to four-wheel vehicles after three weeks of emergency repair.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Biliran district engineering office, however, clarified that Caraycaray Bridge is only open to light vehicles starting Thursday, ahead of the 30-day timeline set by Secretary Mark Villar.

In a press statement issued Friday, DPWH Biliran office assistant chief Alfredo Bollido said that before crossing the bridge, passengers of vans will have to get off while bags and cargoes have to be unloaded considering the load limit of temporary bridge.

He said that if the state weather bureau issues a flood advisory and the water rises, the bridge will again be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

“Total replacement is recommended for the Caraycaray Bridge after both approaches were washed out by continuous heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Urduja on December 15 to 16,” Bollido said.

Both approaches of the Caraycaray Bridge went through backfilling and embankment for temporary passage of people and goods. It was opened to traffic for motorcycles on January 9 and to light four-wheel vehicles on Thursday.

Caraycaray Bridge in Naval town is a vital link that connects the provincial capital to the nearby Biliran town. The structure is categorized by DPWH as old bridges built 40 years ago without major rehabilitation activities.

The bridge closure forced motorists to take the Biliran Circumferential Road to reach the provincial capital from Tacloban City. Taking the alternate highway means driving 90 kilometers farther from Biliran town to neighboring Naval town. (SQM/PNA)