Binondo–Intramuros Bridge

The Binondo–Intramuros Bridge is an under construction bridge in Manila, Philippines that spans the Pasig River. Once completed, it will connect San Fernando Street in Binondo to Solana Street and Riverside Drive in Intramuros. The bridge will have four lanes and is planned to exhibit a steel bowstring arch design with inclined arches.[1] It will have a length of 737 meters (2,418 ft).[2]

Binondo–Intramuros Bridge
Carries4 lanes of vehicular traffic and pedestrians
CrossesPasig River
LocaleManila, Philippines
Characteristics
Total length737 m (2,418 ft)
History
Constructed byDepartment of Public Works and Highways
Construction startJuly 17, 2018

The bridge is controversial due to its location at the historic center of Manila, near the San Agustin Church heritage site.

Planning and construction

The bridge is a part of the 500 million renminbi infrastructure grant by China under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, which was agreed upon by China and the Philippines following a state visit of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to China in May 2017.[3] On June 22, 2017, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Chinese embassy signed a Minutes of Discussion regarding the full grant and financing the construction of the bridge.[4]

Construction was expected to begin within 2017.[5] The DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster I will implement the construction of the bridge.[4] By July 2017, the feasibility study for the bridge was completed and it will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority Investment Coordination Committee.[6] The groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge led by President Rodrigo Duterte took place on July 17, 2018.[7]

Reception

Heritage conservationists groups has expressed concerns regarding the proposed bridge. ICOMOS Philippines advises against the construction of a vehicular bridge connecting Binondo and Intramuros suggesting a pedestrian bridge instead. A study conducted by the organization found the construction of the proposed Binondo–Intramuros Bridge will likely affect the Aduana Building in Intramuros due to its soft foundation as well as the Chamber of Commerce Building and Plaza Mexico. It also notes that the bridge will cover the Estero de Binondo and the Puente de San Fernando will be demolished to give way for the bridge's construction. ICOMOS Philippines has also said that the bridge will worsen traffic conditions in the area and will cause visual and air pollution. The organization also notes that ramps of the proposed bridge will affect the buffer zone of the San Agustin Church and Monastery, a World Heritage Site. The case of the desisting of the City of Dresden as a World Heritage Site due to the construction of the Waldschlösschen Bridge has been cited by ICOMOS Philippines in regards to the proposed Binondo–Intramuros Bridge and has raised concerns that UNESCO might raise concerns to the proposed bridge and threaten the bid of the whole Intramuros area to become a World Heritage Site.[8]

Heritage Conservation Society also has opposed the project while the Advocates for Heritage Preservation has urged the bridge to be designed to complement the area's Spanish colonial architecture.[8] The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands has also opposed the planned bridge due to heritage and pollution concerns. It proposed instead to expand the Del Pan and Jones Bridges.[9]

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See also

References
  1. Placido, Dharel (13 July 2017). "Construction of two China-sponsored bridges to begin this year". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  2. "DPWH to start construction of Estrella-Pantaleon, Binondo-Intramuros bridges by next week–Villar". BusinessMirror. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  3. Kabiling, Genalyn (25 June 2017). "Malacañang welcomes China's grant to finance two bridges". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  4. Depasupil, William (22 June 2017). "Philippines, China ink first infra partnership under Duterte". The Manila Times. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  5. Alvarez, Kathrina Charmaine (29 June 2017). "Villar boasts of 2 China-funded bridges, Ilocos-Bicol road network". GMA News. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  6. Tubayan, Elijah Joseph (12 July 2017). "55 big-ticket infra projects await ICC action; 6 pass feasibility stage". BusinessWorld. BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  7. "President Duterte breaks ground for two China Grant-Aid bridges". PTV News. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  8. Sembrano, Edgar (30 July 2018). "Unesco advisory group warns vs planned Binondo-Intramuros bridge". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  9. Cahiles-Magkilat, Bernie (5 September 2018). "Chamber opposes China-funded Binondo-Intramuros bridge". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 11 November 2018.

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