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Binondo–Intramuros Bridge

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Coordinates: 14°35′42.97″N 120°58′29.32″E / 14.5952694°N 120.9748111°E / 14.5952694; 120.9748111
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Binondo–Intramuros Bridge
The bridge in August 2023
Coordinates14°35′42.97″N 120°58′29.32″E / 14.5952694°N 120.9748111°E / 14.5952694; 120.9748111
CarriesVehicular traffic and pedestrians
CrossesPasig River
LocaleManila, Philippines
Maintained byDepartment of Public Works and Highways
Preceded byRoxas Bridge
Followed byJones Bridge
Characteristics
DesignTied-arch bridge
MaterialSteel
Pier constructionConcrete
Total length680 m (2,230 ft)
Width21.65 m (71.0 ft)
Longest span70 m (230 ft)
No. of lanes4
History
Constructed byChina Road and Bridge Corporation
Construction startJuly 17, 2018
Construction cost₱3.39 billion
OpenedApril 5, 2022; 2 years ago (2022-04-05)
Statistics
Daily traffic30,000 vehicles
Location
Map
References
[1][2][3]

The Binondo–Intramuros Bridge is a tied-arch bridge in Manila, Philippines, spanning the Pasig River. It connects Muelle de Binondo in Binondo and San Nicolas to Solana Street and Riverside Drive in Intramuros.[4] The bridge has four lanes and exhibits a steel bowstring arch design with inclined arches.[5] It is 680 meters (2,230 ft) long.[6]

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

History

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Planning and funding

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December 2020
February 2021
The bridge under construction

The bridge is a part of the CN¥500 million (₱3.6 billion) infrastructure grant by China under the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation agreed upon by China and the Philippines following a state visit of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to China in May 2017.[7] 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 of the bridge's construction.[8] The feasibility study for the bridge was completed in mid-2017.[9]

Construction and opening

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Construction was expected to begin in 2017.[10] The DPWH Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster I will implement the construction of the bridge,[8] while China Road and Bridge Corporation will be the contractor.[3] President Rodrigo Duterte led the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge on July 17, 2018.[11] The bridge was expected to be completed in September 2021[12] but was delayed to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

President Rodrigo Duterte and other government officials inaugurated the bridge on April 5, 2022, and it was opened on the same day.[2]

Pedestrian stairways are currently being completed, with the actual stairways now being welded into place.[needs update] Due to logistical issues, these were not present during the bridge's inauguration.

Design

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Exit ramp at Binondo side
Exit ramp at Intramuros side

Designed according to new seismic specifications and considering the impact of climate change,[2] the bridge is a basket-handle tied-arch bridge.[1] Its main span is 70 meters (230 ft) long and 21.65 meters (71.0 ft) wide.[1]

The ramps on both sides branch out to different streets. The entrance ramp on the Binondo side is located along Muelle de la Industria in San Nicolas. Its exit ramp on the same side runs above Estero de Binondo, ending at Muelle de Binondo, intersecting Santo Cristo Street (near South San Nicolas Volunteer Fire Brigade) in San Nicolas on the west bank and Rentas Street in Binondo on the east bank. On the other hand, the entrance ramp on the Intramuros side is located along Riverside Drive. Its exit ramp ends at the intersection of Andres Soriano Avenue, Muralla Street, and Solana Street, just beside the Aduana Building.[1]

Reception

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Heritage conservationist groups have expressed concerns regarding the proposed bridge. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines advises against constructing a vehicular bridge connecting Binondo and Intramuros, suggesting a pedestrian bridge instead. A study conducted by the organization found that 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 the bridge will worsen traffic conditions and cause visual and air pollution. The organization also notes that the 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 delisting of the City of Dresden as a World Heritage Site due to the construction of the Waldschlösschen Bridge was cited by ICOMOS Philippines concerning the proposed Binondo–Intramuros Bridge. It has raised concerns that the bridge project could threaten the bid of the whole Intramuros area to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[14]

The Heritage Conservation Society has also opposed the project, while the Advocates for Heritage Preservation has urged the bridge to be designed to complement the area's Spanish colonial architecture.[14] The Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands has also opposed the planned bridge due to heritage and pollution concerns. Instead, it proposed to expand the Del Pan and Jones Bridges.[15]

Despite its controversial nature, the bridge has become a new hangout for sightseers due to its unique design since its opening. A daily gathering of people taking pictures and posing beside the structure has been noted, especially in good weather.[16] A police outpost has been set up at the bridge to dissuade excessive crowd gathering and to usher traffic.

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The bridge was one of the key locations in the Philippine action TV series FPJ's Batang Quiapo. In one episode, the bridge was used in a shootout between Tanggol (portrayed by Coco Martin) and the police, including his stepfather Rigor Dimaguiba (portrayed by John Estrada), after breaking out his friends from prison.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Iconic steel arch bridge Project in Manila now has concrete slab". Philippine Information Agency. September 2, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Flores, Helen (April 6, 2022). "Duterte leads inauguration of Binondo-Intramuros bridge". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Binondo-Intramuros Bridge On Track for 2021 Opening". Department of Public Works and Highways. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  4. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (April 9, 2022). "Way: Binondo-Intramuros Bridge (991039651)" (Map). OpenStreetMap. OpenStreetMap. Retrieved April 9, 2022.[self-published source]
  5. ^ Placido, Dharel (June 29, 2017). "Construction of two China-sponsored bridges to begin this year". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  6. ^ "DPWH to start construction of Estrella-Pantaleon, Binondo-Intramuros bridges by next week–Villar". BusinessMirror. July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  7. ^ Kabiling, Genalyn (June 25, 2017). "Malacañang welcomes China's grant to finance two bridges". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on June 25, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ a b Depasupil, William (June 22, 2017). "Philippines, China ink first infra partnership under Duterte". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ Tubayan, Elijah Joseph (July 12, 2017). "55 big-ticket infra projects await ICC action; 6 pass feasibility stage". BusinessWorld. BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  10. ^ Alvarez, Kathrina Charmaine (June 29, 2017). "Villar boasts of 2 China-funded bridges, Ilocos-Bicol road network". GMA News. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  11. ^ "President Duterte breaks ground for two China Grant-Aid bridges". PTV News. July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  12. ^ De Guzman, Marcus (February 8, 2021). "Binondo-Intramuros Bridge to be completed Sept 2021". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  13. ^ De Guzman, Marcus (June 30, 2021). "Binondo-Intramuros Bridge opening moved to Dec 2021". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Sembrano, Edgar (July 30, 2018). "Unesco advisory group warns vs planned Binondo-Intramuros bridge". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  15. ^ Cahiles-Magkilat, Bernie (September 5, 2018). "Chamber opposes China-funded Binondo-Intramuros bridge". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Binondo-Intramuros Bridge the new photo op spot - Motorcycle News". April 11, 2022.
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