The government is set to construct a new bridge in Leyte that will be longer than the iconic San Juanico Bridge.
According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manny Bonoan, plans are already in place to build the new structure near and alongside the existing San Juanico Bridge.
Bonoan said that the project is currently in the preparation stage and will be one of the flagship infrastructure initiatives under the Marcos Jr. administration.
The upcoming bridge will be funded by the Japanese government.
At present, the project is undergoing detailed engineering design, which is expected to be completed by 2026 before full-scale construction begins.
Secretary Bonoan noted that the total construction cost cannot yet be determined and will be finalized only after the engineering design is complete.
He added that the DPWH’s original plan is to finish building the new bridge first before closing the San Juanico Bridge for major rehabilitation work.