IT WILL soon be possible for people in Central Luzon to travel to Southern Tagalog in the fraction of the time as the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) board announced the approval of a P175.7-billion mega bridge project.

Dubbed as the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) Project, the multi-million project will connect both regions through Bataan province in Central Luzon and Cavite province in Southern Tagalog through an ocean view mega bridge highway that provides a direct route from both regions and vice versa.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project is a 32.15-kilometer bridge which was recently approved by the Neda board and is expected to be funded through the Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The project is expected to reduce traffic for both regions and in Metro Manila through a four-lane bridge which starts from Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan, crossing Manila Bay, and passing through and terminating in Barangay Timalan in Naic, Cavite.

Neda said the project also includes the construction of two navigation bridges, interchanges, land viaducts, turnaround facilities, special span bridge near Cavite coast, a toll plaza and administration building, as well as the improvement of local existing junctions.

The Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge will be implemented over a period of six years.