After getting the green light from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) three years ago, the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) has announced that work on the 32-km Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is set to begin later this year.

During a press briefing at Malacanan, DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said the 32-km major bridge project was initially expected to begin construction in Q1 of 2024. However, the groundbreaking ceremony will take place earlier than expected.

Construction of Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge to start in late 2023 image

“Detailed engineering [design] is now ongoing—it’s about 70 percent complete and we told the President it will be ready within the year to ground break the implementation of this very significant bridge,” said Bonoan.

The DPWH Secretary also mentioned that they plan to finish the project before the end of the President's term.

“We intend to start construction towards the latter part of this year 'siguro' (perhaps). If we are able to procure the civil works then it will take maybe about anywhere between five years…We’ll try to have this completed before the term of the President,” added Bonoan.

Construction of Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge to start in late 2023 image

Projected to cost around PHP 187 billion, the 32-km mega project will be built over Manila Bay and significantly reduce travel time between Bataan and Cavite from 5 hours to around 30 minutes. It will also see the construction of two bridges on either side of Corregidor Island. Called the North Channel Bridge and South Channel Bridge, the structures will have main spans of 400 meters and 900 meters, respectively.

The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge will have its starting point in Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles town, Bataan, crossing Manila Bay, and end in Naic town, Cavite. It is being developed with funding from the Asia Development Bank (ADB).

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