Duterte inaugurates China-funded Binondo-Intramuros bridge

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday led the inauguration of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, which will provide faster connectivity between two of the busiest districts in Manila.

In his speech, Duterte said the China-funded bridge will give Filipinos the chance to experience economic growth and enhanced productivity.

He said the completion of the PHP3.39-billion bridge project shows that the nation is working together towards greener, more sustainable and climate change resistance infrastructure.

“It is our hope that present and future generations will enjoy enhanced mobility and connectivity through the innovative physical integration,” he said.

Duterte thanked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its partners for completing what he described as “one of the key projects of this administration’s Build, Build, Build program.”

“I laud you all for the hard work you have done for this initiative to be accomplished. Despite the unprecedented challenges brought by [the] Covid-19 pandemic, you have all remained devoted to connecting people and places by completing this project,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for being a partner in enhancing key infrastructure projects in the country.

Meanwhile, Duterte renewed his commitment to providing a comfortable life for every Filipino through various opportunities for growth and success.

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, for his part, said the bridge marks the 16th G-to-G (government to government) project completed between China and the Philippines since 2016.

“From the Binondo-Intramuros bridge, we can see our cooperation’s fruits and the bright future of our relations. We are willing to work with the Philippine side to further deepen our cooperation for more benefits to our peoples,” he said, hoping there will be more cooperation projects in the future.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a two-way, four-lane, 680-meter long structure that links Intramuros at Solana Street and Riverside Drive, and Binondo at Rentas Street, Plaza del Conde Street and Muelle dela Industria, with a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.

The project is expected to benefit around 30,000 passing motorists daily between two of the busiest districts in Manila.

It was designed to ease traffic in Metro Manila as more people begin on-site work under new normal conditions.

The project also involves a bicycle lane with thermoplastic road lines and protected sidewalks on both sides.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is one of the many big-ticket projects in the pipeline to achieve Duterte’s dream of better road network and increased transportation capacity in Metro Manila.

As part of the overall Metro Manila Logistics Network, a total of 12 bridges are being eyed over Pasig River, Marikina River, and the Manggahan Floodway, three of which were completed, five under procurement, three under financing negotiation with China, and one under the private initiative.