DPWH to start construction of $70 million bridges

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways will start next week the construction of two new bridges worth $70 million as part of the government’s program to address road congestion in Metro Manila, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar announced yesterday.

Villar said the construction of Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in Makati and Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila would be completed by 2020.

He said the projects are funded by China through a grant under a bilateral cooperation agreement with the Philippine government.

“These bridges are a product of our partnership with China,” Villar told reporters.  

The 506.46-meter Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will connect Estrella street in Makati and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. 

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge will have a total road length of 734 meters, with a four-lane carriageway and a three meter sidewalk along both sides. It will cross the Pasig River and will provide a link between Intramuros and Binondo.

Villar said the construction of the bridges are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network, a traffic management plan composed of 12 bridges crossing the Pasig and Marikina rivers as well as Manggahan Floodway.

Roads closed for INC event

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will close several roads in the metropolis for the Worldwide Aid to Fight Poverty program of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) this weekend.

The MMDA said 200,000 INC members are expected to participate in the event to be held in Manila’s Rizal Park.

The MMDA said Katigbak Drive, South Drive and Independence Road would be closed to motorists starting at 6 p.m. on July 14. 

Road-10 (from Moriones to Delpan Bridge) and Bonifacio Drive (from Delpan Bridge to Katigbak Drive) will be closed to traffic on July 15.  

The MMDA will also close Roxas Boulevard, P. Burgos, Finance Road, T.M. Kalaw and Quirino Avenue.  – Robertzon Ramirez, Catherine Talavera