Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark A. Villar reminded the public to observe the maximum load limit of bridges to ensure safety and prolong service life.
This followed after DPWH Region 8 Director Nerie Bueno reported that they are conducting a load monitoring checkpoint for all equipment and vehicles crossing the Biliran Bridge with 15-ton maximum capacity along Leyte-Biliran Road in Biliran Province.
Maintenance personnel were deployed to tightly watch the passing of vehicles at the 120-meter long Biliran Bridge, which is the only link by land from the island-province of Biliran to Leyte, imposing a limit of 250 bags of cement on a single truck and 16 cubic meters on hauling aggregates.
Secretary Villar said that heavy vehicles are allowed to cross one at a time while those carrying beyond the capacity of the bridge have to unload excess cargo.
The checkpoint is conducted to prevent deterioration, damage, or danger of collapse of the steel bridge completed in 1975.
“We encourage the travelling public to take note of the bridge limits not only to preserve the integrity of the bridge but more importantly to ensure safe travel for everyone,” Secretary Villar added.