DPWH ramps up work on Binondo-Intramuros Bridge for Holy Week

Last week, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that work on the soon-to-open Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is on schedule. According to the agency, they plan to open the bridge to the public at the start of Holy Week next month. With just a few weeks left before Palm Sunday, the DPWH is all hands on deck for this one.

In order to make sure they will be able to actually beat the deadline, the agency recently announced that they have ramped up work on the said bridge. DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain said that asphalt resurfacing has already commenced on the ramps and main bridge deck. This is to ensure that they will be able to get as much work done as possible to open the Binondo-Intramuros bridge by the first two weeks of April.

Work is expected to further pick up as equipment and other materials around the construction site, as well as the pavement markings, are placed after asphalt paving is complete. Other miscellaneous works being done on the bridge include the pouring of concrete on certain sections, finishing and cleaning of the sidewalks, and on-site inspection to ensure work on the bridge is up to standard.

Once the project is complete, Sadain said that the iconic design of the two-way, four-lane steel box tied-arch bridge has the makings of a future landmark in Manila. He also mentioned that the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge could become one of the most photographed bridges in Metro Manila once it's open to the public.

Around 30,000 vehicles are expected to benefit daily from this project as it will connect the two busy districts of Binondo and Intramuros. Moreover, the new bridge is also expected to help extend the life of nearby bridges like Jones, Delpan, and MacArthur by diverting the number of cars that pass through them.

With April 10 (Palm Sunday) marking the start of Holy Week, the DPWH has its work cut out for them.