ADB approves $2.1 billion financing for Bataan-Cavite bridge project

MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $2.1 billion worth of financing for the construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) project.

In a statement, the multilateral lender said the approved amount would be used for the construction of a 32.15-kilometer (km) bridge to link Bataan and Cavite across Manila Bay.

Identified as part of the government’s infrastructure flagship projects, the BCIB is expected to decongest Metro Manila, enable greater mobility of labor and goods, and spur economic activity in Luzon.

“This project will transform the economic landscape of central Luzon, unlock the full potential of Bataan and Cavite for trade, manufacturing, and industrial output, and boost their tourism,” ADB vice president for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Scott Morris said.

“Once completed, BCIB will offer a platform for reimagining a more vibrant, resilient, and dynamic greater Manila Bay area,” he said.

The BCIB is the latest installment in ADB’s agenda of providing support to strengthen urban and regional transport networks in and around greater Manila, which includes the South Commuter Railway, Malolos Clark Railway, and two other projects currently being prepared for financing such as the Metro Manila Rail Transit Line 4 and the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network.

“These projects will expand and transform the transport network in the metropolis, improve regional connectivity, and offer Filipinos access to more job opportunities,” Morris said.

The ADB is providing support to the BCIB project through a multitranche financing facility, with the first tranche amounting to $650 million.

The BCIB project will involve the construction of one of the world’s longest marine bridges, including two cable-stayed bridges, 24 km of marine viaducts, and a total eight km approach road in the two provinces.

By providing road connectivity to Manila, Cavite, and Southern Luzon, the project will boost Bataan’s potential to host more manufacturing activities in the Freeport Area of Bataan.

In addition, the project can help expand the use of Bataan’s Mariveles port by serving as an alternative to the port of Manila.

Through the project, travel time between Bataan and Cavite is expected to be cut to 1.5 hours from five hours, and to about two hours from four hours between Bataan and Metro Manila.

With reduced travel time, the ADB said the project would also help lower annual greenhouse gas emissions in the country by an estimated 79,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The ADB-financed Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility supported the project preparation, environment and social safeguards due diligence, and detailed engineering design for BCIB.

To boost resilience to natural hazards and climate change, the project will be following high technical standards.

For the construction of the bridge, the ADB said low-carbon technologies and building materials would be used where applicable.