(Photo courtesy of DPWH) MANILA - The iconic Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is ready to open early next month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Monday. DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain reported to Secretary Roger Mercado that the new bridge connecting Manila's district of Binondo and Intramuros over Pasig River is ready for opening anytime between April 5 to 9. "Construction crews will continue to work this week on the bridge for the final finishing touches on the carriageway, ramps, and other components but it could open to traffic sooner before the 2022 Holy Week begins on April 10," he said in a news release. When opened to motorists, Sadain said they expect that around 30,000 vehicles daily to use the new two-way four-lane Binondo Intramuros Bridge which also has a sidewalk for pedestrians and joggers separated by safety railings and a marked lane for bikers to encourage the use of the non-motorized mode of transport. Among the things left to be done, he added, is the access ramp at Plaza del Conde Street to San Fernando Street but an access ramp is already available at Rentas Street to Juan Luna Street. Although it's not yet complete, the bridge is gleaming over at night because of the glow of lights, thermoplastic pavement markings, and painted steel arch main bridge, and metal railings. The basket handle-tied design of the steel arch main bridge is touted to be the new symbol of time-honored friendship between the Government of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China. "The instruction given to contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation was to finish the most important activities and prepare for possible project inauguration by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," Sadain said. The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge together with the Estrella Pantaleon Bridge which was completed in 2021, are two flagship infrastructure projects funded by a grant from China in support of Duterte's administration's "Build, Build, Build" program. These bridges are part of the Metro Manila Logistics Network Program to reduce the congestion on major highways in the metropolis by constructing new bridges across Pasig and Marikina Rivers and the Manggahan Floodway in order to achieve seamless travel and connectivity of Filipinos. (PR) }