Binondo-Intramuros Bridge could be open by Holy Week

Back in October 2021, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is scheduled to open in Q1 2022. It was originally slated to be completed in September 2021, but due to several delays, the DPWH decided it would be best to move its opening.

Then in December, the agency announced that the bridge is already 88% complete and could be finished by early 2022. With the DPWH’s assessment, motorists might soon be able to cross the  680-meter bridge real soon.

Fast forward into the fourth week of 2022, and the DPWH says the Binondo Intramuros Bridge is now 90% complete. Does this mean the DPWH will be able to finish it by Q1 of this year? Unfortunately, that will not be the case. However, with work on the bridge nearly completed, the agency mentioned that it could be open to motorists by Holy Week. That means the new bridge connecting Intramuros and Binondo could be open as early as April 10, 2022, on Palm Sunday.

According to DPWH Undersecretary and Build, Build, Build (BBB) Chief Implementer Emil K. Sadain, the 680-linear meter bridge is pretty much finished. Sadain confirmed this when he, along with other members of the DPWH, personally inspected the bridge yesterday. They were also able to walk across certain parts of the bridge.

However, equipment and crews are still busy constructing the access ramps made of prefabricated components. Over at the Binondo side, the DPWH is busy building an up-ramp located at the Muella dela Industria Street, as well as down-ramps at Rentas and Plaza del Conde Streets. Simultaneously, construction of ramps at the Intramuros side is ongoing with an up-ramp at Riverside Drive and a down-ramp at Solana Street.

Once the PHP 3.39 billion project is complete, the DPWH says it will benefit around 30,000 motorists and is expected to cut travel time between the districts of Binondo and Intramuros. It will have a total of four lanes (two in each direction) and will also help ease traffic congestion between the districts. The upcoming bridge will also help extend the life of nearby bridges like Jones, Delpan, and MacArthur by reducing the number of vehicles that travel over them.

With several months to go before Holy Week, we’re surely hoping that the DPWH will be able to finish construction on the Binondo Intramuros Bridge.