The Department of Public Works and Highways is set to bid out four of the six segments of the 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) within the year, including the cable-stayed part of the structure, its secretary Manuel Bonoan said,
This developed as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said it is looking at forging public-private partnerships for the establishment of more integrated transport exchanges following the success of the one in Paranaque.
Bonoan, in a chance interview yesterday, said the DPWH plans to bid out the two land-based segments of the bridge project within the first half of the year. Another two segments including the cable stayed, which he described as the longest part of the bridge, will be auctioned off by the second semester.
No schedule was set for the remaining two segments.
He said the DPWH has invited contractors, including international contractors, which have the experience in building such structures to join the bidding.
The two land-based segments are in Bataan and Cavite.
Package one of the BCIB includes the five- kilometer Bataan Land Approach under Package 1 while Package 2 includes the 1.35-kilometer Cavite Land Approach.
President Marcos Jr. said the completion of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge would improve not just the traffic situation but would also hasten the travel of people and goods between Bataan, Cavite and the towns in between.
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the government is planning a bigger transport terminal in Taguig in cooperation with the Ayala Group.
He said the agency is looking for a possible location for an integrated transport exchange in the North, but it is considering the Victory Liner station which is about seven hectares.
