CEBU CITY – Authorities have assured the structural integrity of the Biliran Bridge in Biliran province.
VEHICLES cross the Biliran Bridge one at a time while it is being inspected on Tuesday, Dec. 24. (Calvin Cordova)
The assurance was made after videos showing the steel bridge swinging went viral on social media on Monday, Dec. 23.
Irwin Antonio, Department of Public Works and Highways-Eastern Visayas (DPWH-8) district engineer, hinted that the video may have been edited.
“It was waving not swinging,” said Antonio, describing the movement of the bridge based on the videos.
These videos caused fear among motorists that prompted the DPWH-8 to inspect the bridge and regulate traffic on the almost five-decade old structure.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Antonio said it is normal for the bridge to sway but not wave as shown in the videos.
“The bridge is designed to sway so that the impact of the load will be carried out by the bridge,” said Antonio.
The huge volume of traffic on Monday may have caused the bridge to sway.
Antonio said DPWH personnel were deployed to check the physical aspect of the bridge.
After thorough inspections, the bridge showed no signs of defects.
“There were no cracks in the slab, no cracks in the asphalt. No missing bolts and no steel deformation,” said Antonio.
The DPWH-8 has deployed its vehicle inspection bridge to help inspect the bridge that connects the provinces of Leyte and Biliran.
Only light vehicles are allowed to pass the bridge while inspection is ongoing. Buses must also disembark their passengers before crossing the bridge.
Police were deployed to help man the traffic and ensure that vehicles will cross the bridge one at a time.
The steel bridge was constructed in 1976.
Antonio said the bridge has undergone several repairs to keep its structural integrity.
The bridge was rehabilitated in 1996 after its bearing was busted, Antonio said.
Through retrofitting in 2013 and 2014, 50 to 60 percent of the structure was rehabilitated.
The bridge was repaired again in 2018 for tightening of the bolts and repainting. “The bridge was refurbished and 70 to 80 percent of its original structural capability was brought back,” Antonio said.