News & Update

CHODAI CO., LTD. has formed a joint venture (JV)*1 with YUSHIN Engineering as the lead company and has been awarded a construction supervision contract*2 by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of the Republic of the Philippines for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) Project. This national project involves constructing a long-span bridge across Manila Bay on Luzon Island to connect Bataan and Cavite. The project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, will be the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia, with a total project cost of approximately JPY 600 billion. Leveraging our extensive experience and expertise in long-span bridge construction, we will ensure the smooth execution of  construction supervision services and contribute to improving accessibility and creating a more comfortable urban environment in the Metro Manila.

Conceptual rendering of the Manila Bay crossing bridge (Source: BCIB DED*3 JV)

Metro Manila, the largest urban region in the Philippines, has a population exceeding 14 million and generates approximately 31% of the country's GDP, making it the economic center of the nation. However, rapidly increasing vehicle traffic has led to chronic congestion. Moreover, as there are no alternative north-south routes across Luzon Island other than passing through the metropolitan area, this situation has resulted in even more severe economic losses.

For this reason, the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge was planned to create a new economic artery linking industrial zones, ports, and tourist destinations distributed across northern and southern Luzon without passing through the Metro Manila Area. Currently, travel between Bataan and Cavite takes approximately five hours; however, once the bridge is completed, this will be reduced to about 45 minutes. As a result, traffic congestion in the Metro Manila Area is expected to be alleviated, and the overall industrial competitiveness of Luzon Island is anticipated to improve significantly.

The planned total length of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is 32.2 km, of which approximately 24 km*4 consists of sea-crossing bridge sections. Upon completion, it will become the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia. There will be two sections for shipping lanes, with cable-stayed bridges planned for central spans of 900 m and 400 m, respectively. Constructing a bridge of such length over the sea--where water depths exceed 50 meters--makes this a highly challenging project that demands an unprecedented level of advanced engineering expertise.

Project location map (prepared by the Joint Venture)

In December 2023, the Philippine government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a Loan Agreement (LA) to finance this project. Based on this agreement, our company will carry out Construction Supervision Consulting (CSC) services funded by the ADB. The service period is scheduled to be 72 months, commencing in February 2026. The total contract value for the JV is approximately USD 120 million (about JPY 18.5 billion), making it one of the largest construction supervision contracts for bridge projects.

As a company with roots in the construction of the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project--one of Japan's landmark national projects--CHODAI has, since its founding, accumulated extensive expertise in long-span bridge construction. Leveraging this expertise to the fullest, we will contribute to improving accessibility across Luzon Island and the Metro Manila Area, while supporting the economic development of the Republic of the Philippines.

■ Notes

*1 JV Composition: Yooshin (Korea) + Chodai + Kyong-ho (Korea) + Katahira Engineering International + Tekfen (Turkey)

*2 Official Contract Title: Consulting Services for the Construction Supervision of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) Project

*3 DED: Abbreviation for Detailed Engineering Design

*4 Reference Comparison: The Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line consists of a 9.5 km underwater tunnel, a 4.4 km sea crossing bridge, and 1.2 km of land sections (total length: 15.1 km).

In contrast, the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge has no tunnel section; the entire structure--approximately twice the length of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line--is composed solely of bridge sections.

■  Related Websites

Engineering Daily (Korea): https://www.engdaily.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=21717 

Korea Economic Daily / Korea Market (Korea): https://www.hankyung.com/article/202602135602L 

 

■  Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Chodai Co., Ltd.

Structural Engineering Division

International Business Department, Overseas Engineering Department

Email: info-itn@chodai.co.jp