The Department of Public Works ang Highways (DPWH) reassured that the proposed bridge connecting three islands in Western Visayas remains one of the priority projects of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, chairperson of the DPWH’s “Build, Build’ Build” Committee, said the feasibility study of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge is expected to be completed within this year.
She explained why the actual construction of the “long-overdue” inter-island bridge has not yet been started.
“May requirements po kasi. For an inter-island bridge for example, may required na pre-feasibility study, feasibility study and detailed engineering design,” she said in a report by state-run Philippine News Agency.
The feasibility study of the proposed bridge is ongoing. It is being undertaken by CCCC Highway Consultants Co. Ltd., a Chinese government-owned company.
The first phase of the proposed project is the Panay-Guimaras Bridge, which will start in Leganes, Iloilo and will end in Buenavista, Guimaras.
The second phase is the Guimaras-Negros Island Bridge, which will start in San Lorenzo, Guimaras and will end in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
“As part of the preparation for the construction, some road sections in Guimaras Island have already been developed and paved, now known as the Guimaras Cross Island Roads,” the report said.
Last June, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Negros Occidental endorsed the conduct of the feasibility study for the project to the Provincial Board and the Regional Development Council (RDC-6).IMT
