President Rodrigo R. Duterte, together with Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Philippines Zhao Jianhua conducted the groundbreaking ceremony of the two (2) China Grant-Aid Bridges Project, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge.
These China-Grant Aid projects aim to improve the capacity and efficiency of the road transport network in Metro Manila by providing additional fix links (bridges) and additional routes crossing the Pasig River. It will enhance the resiliency of Metro Manila road network against natural disasters including flood and earthquake.
“The two bridges are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network which intends to construct 12 new bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway,” Villar said.
The Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantal eon Bridge will extend the life of existing bridges around Manila by decongesting these bridges from heavy traffic, thus, this will reduce bridge maintenance and cost requirements.
Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, which costs PHP4.243 billion, is a two-way four-lane bridge wherein the main span of the bridge is a 90-meter steel box tied-arch bridge. It has a total road length of 734 meters and is envisioned to provide Binondo District a new link to the “Walled City” of Intramuros and vice versa.
The PHP 1.229 billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is a reconstructed bridge with a total road length of 506.46 meters, traversing the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong on two opposite sides.
This project is in line with the commitment of the DPWH to the Duterte Administration’s Build, Build, Build Program which will improve the capacity and efficiency of the road transport network alleviate traffic congestion in the area and will contribute to a more sustainable social and economic development through an efficient road network.
“Given the impact of these two bridges, the DPWH will do everything to fast-track their completion. Expect these bridges to be operational by 2020,” Villar explained.