The longest bridge in the Philippines is no longer the San Juanico Bridge which connects the islands of Samar and Leyte, but rather the two-year old Cebu-Cordova Link Bridge which connects the City of Cebu and the nearby island municipality of Cordova. But while the government is seriously pushing the infrastructure development projects, CCLB may be dethroned as being the longest bridge in the country in the next five years. This is because of the proposed Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge which is expected to open in 2029 or after five years.
The construction of San Juanico Bridge, with a total length span of 2.16 kilometers, lasted only five years. It was open to public as a gift of then president Ferdinand Marcos to his wife and first lady Imelda R. Marcos, in 1973. The bridge was built in the amount of US$21.9 million.
The crown of being the longest bridge in the country was held by San Juanico for four decades until the Cebu-Cordova Link Bridge was opened to motorists in April 2022 by former president Rodrigo Duterte. Constructed in the amount of ₱33 Billion, the 8.9 kilometer bridge was completed in only five years.
Cebuanos should take advantage to capitalize on souvenir items that feature “The Longest Bridge in the Philippines” as this title will soon be claimed by another project in Luzon expectedly in the next five years.
With approved budget of US$2.1 Billion, the Marcos Jr. administration is will be constructing the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) with over-all length span of 32.15 kilometers. The BCIB would significantly reduce travel time between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite from 5 or 7 hours to merely 45 minutes. This project is expected to be completed in five years.
Hear’s to watch. There is a bridge in Olongapo City called (Ramon) Magsaysay Bridge which is currently undergoing construction for more than five years now. This is not among the longest bridges in the country, as it is only a little more than 70 meters in length!
The Magsaysay Bridge was constructed in early 1960’s to serve as main corridor (Gate) between then Municipality of Olongapo and the former US Naval Facilities. In 2009, the bridge was closed to traffic after showing evidence of deterioration in its foundations. In November 2019, former Chairman and Administrator Amy Eisma announced that the construction of the New Magsaysay Bridge commenced after securing a budget of ₱442.7 Million.
Three big-time contractors signed a memorandum of undertakings with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), namely: Frontline Konstruct Builders and Realty Development Corporations, Quingdao Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd., and Rebcor Construction and Trading Corporation, and promised to finish the four-lane, 72.5-meter long bridge in 540 calendar days or one year and five months, including amenities like Main Gate Security Facility, covered walkway among others.
Unfortunately, five years had passed and several broken promises were already committed by SBMA chairmen and administrators who assured the public that the bridge will be finished before their terms ended. Yet, it looks like that the bridge is nowhere 75% completed to this date.
The last promise (an addition to the many) was made by Engr. Charito Ricaforth of Frontline Konstruct during a meeting with the Olongapo City Council. Ricaforth vowed to open the bridge by April 30, but failed. How many more promises should be broken before the 72-meter Magsaysay Bridge in Subic Bay Freeport be completed? It would be more a disgrace and laughable should the 32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is finished first. Ha, ha, ha, please No.
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