GLOWING. The dry run of the San Juanico Bridge lighting project in this undated photo. San Juanico Bridge will be closed for 10 minutes to 15 minutes late Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2022) for the switch-on of the much-awaited lighting project, government agencies said in a traffic advisory on Monday (Oct. 17, 2022). (Photo courtesy of Samar’s Public Information Office)
TACLOBAN CITY – The San Juanico Bridge will be closed for 10 minutes to 15 minutes late Wednesday for the switch-on of the much-awaited lighting project, government agencies said in a traffic advisory.
The official switch-on, which will be led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., may cause heavy traffic along the major highway near the bridge, the advisory warned motorists.
The temporary closure is expected from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on October 19 to give way to the switch-on, an event that will draw key national and local officials to the iconic bridge.
“Please expect slow to heavy traffic along Maharlika Highway near the San Juanico Bridge around 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Motorists are advised to follow the traffic devices and to slow down while passing the area,” the advisory added.
The Department of Tourism, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Samar’s provincial government, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) issued the advisory on Monday.
TIEZA is the funding source of the PHP80 million aesthetic light and sound project carried out by Amigo Entertainment Technologies, Inc. in the past three years.
The highlight of the official switch-on is a 21-minute light show.
In the middle of the light show, there will be a synchronized performance of the Buraburon Festival of Burauen town on Leyte’s side of the bridge and the Manaragat Festival of Catbalogan City on Samar’s side.
The San Juanico Bridge Aesthetic Lighting Project is the first of its kind in the country.
The light show and colors can be customized depending on the occasion.
The 2.16-km. San Juanico Bridge is the longest along the Pan-Philippine Highway that connects Luzon to Mindanao.
In 2019, the traffic volume on the bridge was registered at 7,200 vehicles daily.
Built in August 1969 and completed in 1972, with a span of 2.162 km. and connecting Samar and Leyte Islands, the bridge has withstood many challenges, with Super Typhoon Yolanda that ravaged Eastern Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013 as the most recent. (PNA)
