Marcos launches Bataan-Cavite bridge project

• The P175.6-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) connecting Central Luzon and Calabarzon was launched by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 31

• Marcos led the ceremonial switching of the geotechnical investigation drill, launching the BCIB, which will cut travel time from Central Luzon to Calabarzon to just 45 minutes

• The project is seen to further enhance inter-island connectivity and reduce transport logistic costs

• Loan negotiations for the civil works phase are expected to begin in Q3 2023 and the 5-year construction is targeted to start in H1 2024

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. officially launched P175.6-billion Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) on March 31 with the ceremonial switching of the BCIB geotechnical investigation drilling equipment.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) project is expected to cut travel time between Central Luzon and Calabarzon from five hours to just 45 minutes.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the 32-kilometer, four-lane BCIB spanning Manila Bay aims to directly connect Cavite and Bataan provinces, bypassing traffic-heavy Metro Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga, saving more than 4 hours of travel time for thousands of commuters and motorists.

The project, which will further enhance inter-island connectivity and reduce transport logistics costs, is included in the recently approved National Economic and Development Authority Board list of infrastructure flagship projects.

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The feasibility study for the BCIB began in March 2018, funded by the Asian Development Bank’s Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility Loan that set into motion plans not only to link Bataan and Cavite but also to ease traffic congestion in the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon Expressway.

DPWH’s Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster 2 (Multilateral), along with experts from the joint-venture group of T.Y. Lin International, Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants, Renardet and DCCD Engineering Corp., are working on the final detailed engineering design (DED).

The ADB-funded DED will ensure that proper mitigating measures are in place to address social and ecological concerns, as the bridge will cross Manila Bay. The DED will also address security issues.

Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain, who is in charge of infrastructure flagship projects, explained that coring and cone penetration test (CPT) on board two sea vessels are going on.

One vessel has been conducting CPTs and soil boring tests while the other has been doing CPTs that are collectively known as geotechnical investigation – the last of the missing pieces to complete the foundation design of the BCIB and deliver the final DED to the new milestone, the civil works.

DPWH said the BCIB will have positive effects on the economy, as it will reduce logistics costs that can lower further the prices of goods and services.

ADB and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank have committed to co-finance the civil works phase of the bridge construction.

The loan negotiations for the civil works construction are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2023 and the 5-year construction is targeted to start in the first semester of 2024.

The bridge project will be divided into seven contract packages to accelerate its completion.