First Half of 2022 Eyed for the Beginning of Construction of New Bridge Projects Backed by ADB

On Wednesday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III announced that the construction of three new bridges across the Marikina River is targeted to commence within the first half of the year in an effort to improve traffic in Metro Manila. Funding for the construction of these projects will come from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) after the country secured a $175-million loan earlier in December.

“These three bridges span over 3,000 meters across the Marikina River and will connect Metro Manila’s arterial roads,” explained Dominguez. “They will be called Marcos Highway-Saint Mary Avenue Bridge, Homeowner’s Drive-A Bonifacio Bridge, and Kabayani Street-Matandang Balara Bridge. The bridges will be constructed starting the first half of this year and are expected to be completed in 2026.”

The three bridges “are crucial components of the Build, Build, Build program that will help our economy bounce back from the adverse effects of the pandemic” as they are among the 12 that are planned to be built under the Metro Manila Bridges Project. “With their high multiplier effect and job-generating potential, investments in infrastructure will be the engine for our rapid economic recovery,” added Dominguez.

Climate and disaster resilience are considered to be key design features of these bridges, putting importance on their ability to absorb strong earthquake shocks and reduce flood risks in the area. These projects also serve as a “milestone” for the government’s Build, Build, Build program, according to ADB managing director-general Woochong Um.

“Now, we are seeing the beginning of the end of the pandemic, we hope.  And the signing of the loan agreement comes at a critical time. We must continue investments in infrastructure now,  which is essential for securing strong economic development in 2022, and this comes from a very strong rebound of 5.6% economic growth last year,” Um elaborated.

“On behalf of the Philippine government, I thank the Asian Development Bank for being our most reliable multilateral development partner,” expressed Dominguez. The ADB has been a firm supporter of the Duterte administration’s centerpiece program ever since the President took office in 2016. Among the infrastructure projects that have benefitted from the regional development bank’s financial support — amounting to $2.3 billion — including the Malolos-Clark Railway, the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector, the EDSA Greenways, and the Angat Water Transmission Improvement.

Source: GMA News