San Juanico Bridge, Steel truss bridge in Leyte Province, Philippines.
The San Juanico Bridge is a steel truss crossing that links two islands in the eastern Philippines, supported by concrete piers that rise from the water. Its main span features arched steel members forming a gateway above the shipping channel below.
Construction started in 1969 using loans from Japan and opened to traffic in 1973, creating the first fixed link between Leyte and Samar. Before its completion, ferries were the only way to cross the strait, making travel slower and dependent on weather.
Locals call it Tulay ng San Juanico in Filipino and Tulay han San Juanico in Waray. It was inaugurated on 2 July 1973, the birthday of First Lady Imelda Marcos, a Leyte native, and is regarded as a gift to her home province. Since 20 October 2022 the steel arch has been lit at night by an ₱80 million LED system.
Visitors can reach the crossing by taking public buses or jeepneys from Tacloban, with the ride lasting around ten minutes. It is best to cross during daylight when views of the sea and surrounding islands are clear.
Around 30,000 LED lights are installed along the structure and change color in the evening, making the crossing visible from afar after sunset. This lighting turns the structure into a glowing landmark on the horizon of the region.
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