The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has announced that the new, PHP 3.39-billion Binondo-Intramuros Bridge may finally open to motorists sometime this coming Holy Week 2022.
Undersecretary Emil Sadain, in charge of DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, visited the construction site on Friday, March 4, 2022. With him were government and private engineers and construction workers continuing the effort to meet the target opening and to fully finish the project.
“Pretty soon, people can drive, walk, bike, or run across this iconic bridge”, said Sadain.
The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is one of the flagship infrastructure projects under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration’s Build, Build, Build Program. It is expected to benefit approximately 30,000 vehicles daily that pass between the 2 busy and historic districts of Intramuros and Binondo in the City of Manila.
This bridge project in support of the Metro Manila Logistics Network Program is currently about 97% complete, with workers focusing on constructing the approaches on a fill and compacted embankment to allow the roadway to meet the elevation of the bridge.
Other workers have started doing finishing works on the bridge structure including painting of steel, installation of guardrails, and other safety components for motorists, pedestrians, runners, and cyclists.
The construction of the new bridge has adopted new project techniques utilizing prefabricated bridge elements with high-performance materials sourced directly from China.
The project has previously encountered delays due to the pandemic and right of way issues. Will they make their target deadline? For the sake of easing traffic flow, let's hope they do.