The construction of the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila is now 70 percent complete, meaning it is on the way to "substantial completion" within the fourth quarter of this year.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar announced Tuesday, June 29, that the construction of the bridge's access ramps are under way.
Villar said that the civil work activities for the ramps and viaduct structure are moving forward as the DPWH "aims for the bridge's substantial completion December 2021."
According to Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, the 70-meter main bridge with steel arch and support steel bowstring over Pasig River will soon host the installation of pre-fabricated precast slab.
"The fabricated steel box girders which will be utilized for the viaduct and ramp over Estero de Binondo are expected to arrive from China by August 2021," Sadain said Tuesday following an ocular inspection on the bridge, which is permanently positioned at pier 4 and 5.
The undersecretary further said that bored piles for the up/down ramps and abutments at the Intramuros side have all been completed. Meanwhile, works are in full swing for the 98 bored piles at the Binondo side, 61 of which are completed.
The DPWH and the contractor continue to coordinate with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the telecommunications firms for their lines along Dasmariñas Bridge. They want to formulate a strategy that would minimize service disruption upon the launch of steel box girders along Estero de Binondo toward Plaza del Conde and Rentas Street as well as the relocation of affected lines along Muelle de Binondo near San Nicolas Fire Station.
The P3.39-billion bridge project--which is funded by the government of China--will connect the historic district of Intramuros on Solana Street and Riverside Drive to the bustling district of Binondo on Rentas Street/Plaza del Conde Street and Muelle dela Industria.
The design of the arch bridge conforms to new seismic design specifications and climate change considerations, according to DPWH.
It will carry traffic of around 30,000 vehicles per day and will also help extend the life of the existing Jones, Delpan, and MacArthur Bridges by decongesting traffic in those areas.
It is part of the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Program, which seeks to address the perennial problem of traffic gridlocks on major roads by constructing new bridges crossing the Pasig and Marikina Rivers, and Manggahan Floodway.