$3.9 Billion Manila Bay Bridge

Wedoany.com Report-Dec.8, The proposed 32-kilometre bridge across Manila Bay in the Philippines, with an estimated cost of US$3.9 billion, faces a potential delay in construction start. China Harbour Engineering Company submitted the lowest bid among competitors, but the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association has expressed reservations about awarding the contract to the company. The government has deferred its final decision on the tender.

Funding for the project is expected to come primarily from multilateral lenders, with the Asian Development Bank committing US$2.11 billion and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank providing US$1.14 billion.

Separately, three major transport infrastructure projects in the Philippines remain on schedule for completion by the end of 2025. These include Phase 1 of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX), the North Luzon Expressway–South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector Road, and the Bucana Bridge.

The 7.7-kilometre NLEX-SLEX Connector Road is an elevated expressway that will link the North Luzon Expressway southward from C3 Road in Caloocan to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines area, improving connectivity between northern and southern Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

These developments are part of ongoing efforts to expand and modernise the country's road network, aimed at reducing travel times and supporting economic activity across Luzon. The timely completion of the three projects by year-end will provide immediate benefits to commuters and logistics operators, while the Manila Bay bridge, once approved, is intended to further enhance regional transport efficiency in the longer term.