THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said it is set to begin construction on two China-funded bridges along the Pasig River next week.
DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar told reporters during an inspection of the site on Wednesday that the department has scheduled for next week the groundbreaking for the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon bridges.
“Next week we will be groundbreaking with President Rodrigo R. Duterte. After groundbreaking, construction will commence,” he said.
The Estrella-Pantaleon bridge spans 506.46 meters, while the Binondo-Intramuros bridge is planned for 734 meters.
Mr. Villar said construction of the two four-lane bridges is priced at about $70 million.
“The two China Grant-Aid Bridges are financed by the People’s Republic of China through a bilateral cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines,” DPWH said in a statement.
The DPWH has set a two-year construction period for the project.
“You will observe now that Del Pan and the bridges across Pasig are quite congested. (The new bridges) will ease it up by creating additional access points here in Binondo and Intramuros in Metro Manila,” Mr. Villar said.
He noted this project is part of the Metro Manila Logistics Master Plan that aims to construct 12 bridges in addition to the 30 existing bridges over the Pasig River to decongest roads. — Denise A. Valdez
