The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) and the Cebu Bus Rail Transit (BRT) projects have faced delays and increased construction costs, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced.

In a briefing, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan  on Friday, Oct. 13, said that the construction cost for the 32-kilometer BCIB project has been revised to P219.3 billion, a significant increase from the initial estimate of P175.6 billion.

Furthermore, Balisacan said the expected completion date of the bridge project, which crosses Manila Bay from barangay Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan to Barangay Timalan, Naic, Cavite, has been postponed beyond December 2029.

“The changes have been approved to accommodate an updated detailed engineering design that utilizes superior construction materials and a stronger bridge structure. Additionally, the cost was adjusted to account for inflation,” Balisacan said.

The BCIB is a four-lane bridge that will directly link Cavite and Bataan, reducing travel time between the two provinces from over five hours to just 45 minutes.

Once completed, it will also improve connectivity between the provinces, enabling faster movement of goods and services.

The infrastructure project is expected to be the second longest over-water bridge in the world next to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge once finished.

“We also expect this to decongest traffic in Metro Manila since travellers going to and from either Bataan or Cavite who would typically pass through Manila could pass through the BCIB instead,” Balisaca said.

Meanwhile, the NEDA chief said the construction cost for the Cebu BRT has risen by P12 billion, bringing the total estimate to P28.78 billion from the initial projection of P16.3 billion.

Balisacan said this adjustment accounts for the inclusion of mixed traffic sections and the need for additional stations and terminals in the BRT project.

“The updated project plan will now include mixed traffic sections from Bulacao-Talisay, SRP-Talisay, and IT Park-Talamban,” Balisacan said.

“Additionally, there will be an increase in the number of stations and terminals, optimization of routes, and an overall increase in the number of buses,” he added.

Furthermore, Balisacan said the BRT project's implementation period would be stretched until the end of December 2027.

Moreover, the loan validity from Agence Francaise de Developpement and the World Bank would be extended until September 2027.

On Friday, the NEDA Board, chaired by President Marcos, approved six projects worth P269.7 billion.