Construction of Bataan-Cavite bridge eyed by ‘latter part’ of 2023

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — The government may start construction work on the multibillion-peso Bataan-Cavite bridge by “the latter part of this year,” Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said Tuesday.

Seeing it as a “very significant” project, Bonoan presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the planned 32-kilometer bridge across Manila Bay that would connect Cavite and Bataan.

The DPWH chief said building the bridge would require an investment of ₱175 billion.

“We intend to start construction towards the latter part of this year if we are able to procure the civil works. It will take maybe five years. We will try to have this completed before the term of the president (ends),” he said during a Palace briefing.

As the bridge would cut travel time, Bonoan said it would boost economic growth in both areas.

He noted that the Asian Development Bank estimated that the economic rate of return of the bridge is “more than 25%.”