CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said construction of the 32 kilometer Bataan-Cavite interlink bridge – touted to be the country’s longest bridge once completed – will begin before 2025 ends.
“Bago matapos ang taon, magsisimula na ang Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge. Ang tulay na ito ay 32 kilometro ang haba at tumatawid sa Manila Bay. Kung ang biyahe ngayon mula Mariveles hanggang Naic ay umaabot ng limang oras, balang araw ito ay magiging 45 minuto na lamang,” the President said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday.
The 32.15-kilometer, four-lane, inter-island bridge will connect Brgy. Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan, to Brgy. Timalan Concepcion in Naic, Cavite.
It is expected to shorten travel time and generate economic opportunities in Bataan, Cavite, and neighboring provinces by improving access and connectivity.
The project is primarily funded through Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with co-financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
President Marcos also announced the partial opening next year of the South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 (SLEX TR4), which spans from Sto. Tomas City in Batangas to Tiaong, Quezon.
The President directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure strict monitoring of the ongoing projects to guarantee high-quality construction and timely completion.
“Sa 2026, inaasahang magbubukas na sa motorista ang bahagi ng extension ngh SLEX mula Sto. Tomas, Batanga hanggang Tiaong, Quezon. Kapag natapos itong buong proyekto ang dating apat na oras na biyahe, magiging isang oras na lang,” President Marcos said.
“Kaya inatasan ko na ang DOTr at DPWH na bantayang mabuti ang mga proyekto sa kahabaan ng Quezon patulak ng Bicol at tiyaking tama ang kalidad, matibay, at nasa takdang oras ang pagtatapos,” the President added.
The SLEX TR4 is a 67-kilometer toll road that will connect the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon, reducing current travel time from four hours to just one.
These infrastructure projects are part of the administration’s broader efforts to enhance regional connectivity, boost local economies, and improve the overall quality of life for Filipinos towards Bagong Pilipinas. (FC, PIA4A)