Footbridge near US embassy opened

MANILA, Philippines - A new footbridge for pedestrians crossing Roxas Boulevard near the United States embassy was opened yesterday.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, US Ambassador Harry Thomas, Manila 5th district Congressman Amado Bagatsing and Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino attended the inauguration and blessing of the footbridge.

The new footbridge, dubbed as  “Filipino-American Friendship Footbridge” is expected to benefit some 4,000 people who come to the US embassy everyday. The 47.7 meter-long and 2.4 meter-wide footbridge built near Plaza Ferguson is also seen to ease traffic in the area.

The construction of the footbridge, which costs P7.8 million, started last March 15 and completed on June 8.

In his speech, Lim said the opening of the footbridge is timed with the celebration of the Filipino-American Friendship in response to a request made by Thomas. – Mike Frialde, Sandy Araneta