Friday, March 30, 2012

LONGEST BRIDGE IN PHILIPPINES THAT CONNECT SAMAR AND LEYTE


SAN JUANICO BRIDGE
The San Juanico Bridge, part of the Pan-Philippine Highway, stretches fromSamar to
 Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. Its longest length is a steel girder
viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an arch-shaped truss design.
 With a total length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34 mi),[1] it is the longest bridge in the Philippines
 spanning a body of seawater. It is considered one of the most beautifully designed bridges in
Philippines[2]. The bridge has 43 spans and medium size boats can pass beneath its large main
arch the top of which rises 41 meters above the sea.[1] Construction commenced in 1969 over
San Juanico Strait from Cabalawan, Tacloban City to the municipality of Santa Rita, Samar,
with completion in 1973.[3]
The bridge was then named as Marcos Bridge after the era that was built upon. It was said to
have been presented as a Gift and "Testimonial of Love" by the Philippine President
Ferdinand Marcos to the first lady, Imelda, a native of Leyte.
The Candaba Viaduct of Pampanga which forms part of the North Luzon Expressway is longer,
but being a land bridge crossing a few streams, ponds, and a swamp which usually fills in rainy
weather, is less impressive.
Connecting Tacloban City on the Leyte side and Santa Rita town on the Samar side, it offers
many picturesque views, especially of the San Juanico Strait with its thousand whirlpools as well
as the islets of the province. It is approximately 10 minutes from downtown Tacloban City and is
accessible by passenger jeepney, bus, motorcab or private vehicle.
Construction of the 21.9 million-dollar bridge was contracted to the Construction and Development
 Corporation of the Philippines (now the Philippine National Construction Corporation), which
together with Japanese engineers conducted studies and designed the actual project.[4]

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