The 24 kilometer Sorsogon-Samar Link Bridge, a project that is set to connect Luzon to the Visayas has long been a dream megabrige project. The bridge would span the San Bernardino Strait and connect Allen in Northern Samar Province on Samar Island with Matnog on the Bicol Peninsula in Sorsogon Province.
For decades, roll-on roll-off (RoRo) ferries cross the San Bernardino Strait, carrying passengers and vehicles to and from Allen Port and Matnog Port in Sorsogon. The project is seen as a permanent solution to the perennial problem of stranding during weather disturbances and port congestion during peak season. With a distance of 28 kilometers between two seaports, the average travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.
In 2018, the DPWH has contracted Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd. (Arup) a firm that has a 40-year experience in mega transport projects was commissioned to prepare feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for this new inter-island bridge. The feasibility study was completed in 2020.
Based on the newly-completed feasibility study, the central government will need over PHP300 billion to build a long span bridge linking Allen, Northern Samar and Matnog, Sorsogon. The megabridge project also needs advanced construction technology given the deep waters and long span bridges.
The study has identified two feasible options to construct Sorsogon-Samar Link Bridge. The first is the construction of a 24-kilometer crossing bridge with an estimated cost of PHP284 billion.
Under the proposal, the project is a four-lane cable-stayed bridge. A cable-stayed bridge has one or more towers, from which cables support the bridge deck. It consists of three long-span bridges - Allen to San Antonio in Northern Samar, San Antonio to Capul in Northern Samar, and Capul, Northern Samar to Matnog, Sorsogon. The construction timetable is six years.
Another alternative is to build a PHP257 billion deep tunnel, which requires nine years to complete based on the document released by NEDA.
Both options also need improvement of ferries on both sides with an estimated budget of PHP25.3 billion to PHP71.6 billion.
Given the huge funding requirement equivalent to more than half the annual national budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and six to nine years of the construction period the said megabridge project will not be realized under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte according to NEDA.
With the completion of feasibility study, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) hopes that future administrations will pursue the project since this will not just connect Samar to Luzon, but establish a better link between other parts of Visayas and Mindanao to the north. The bridge project was seen to "improve accessibility, enhance productivity, reduce travel time, and boost sustainable growth" in the area
Негізгі бет SORSOGON SAMAR LINK BRIDGE Project Status 2021
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