Mindanao's Longest Sea-Crossing Bridge Is Now Open to the Public
It cuts travel time between two provinces from 2.5 hours to seven minutes.
(SPOT.ph) Northern Mindanao just unveiled its latest landmark: the Panguil Bay Bridge. This 3.17-kilometer structure, touted as the island's longest sea-crossing bridge, opened to the public on September 27.
Also read: Country's Longest Bridge Soon to Rise in Northern Mindanao
Panguil Bay Bridge
Panguil Bay Bridge, connecting Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to Tubod in Lanao del Norte, is a landmark infrastructure project poised to transform travel between these two provinces in Northern Mindanao.
The current two-and-a-half-hour journey via roll-on/roll-off vessels (RORO) will be slashed to just seven minutes by land now that the bridge is operational.
This impressive structure kicks off with a 360-meter approach road, leading to a 1,020-meter approach bridge on the Tangub City side in Misamis Occidental. On the Tubod side, a 569-meter approach road connects to a 900-meter approach bridge.
It also boasts an extra-dosed main bridge with a 320-meter central span, supported by two 20-meter-tall pylons and anchored by six cable stays. A lighting system enhances both the bridge's aesthetics and safety for nighttime travel.
"We waited for this for such a long time. But today, the waiting is ended," said President Marcos Jr. in his keynote speech. Marcos acknowledged the many challenges the project faced including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We do not get intimidated or discouraged by obstacles that are put in our way. We worked harder, pushed harder [and] never lost sight of why we are building this bridge. And while we are celebrating this monumental achievement, I would like to highlight the ripple effect it will have on local businesses," Marcos said.
The President noted that over 10,000 travelers will benefit from the new bridge. "Before, when the barge closed at night, your only choice was a long detour around the bay, wasting precious time. Now, people can transport their goods whenever they want, on their own schedules."
Construction of the Panguil Bay Bridge began in 2020 as part of former president Rodrigo Duterte's "Build, Build, Build" initiative. However, the groundwork actually dates back further, with a loan agreement signed in 2016 during the late former president Benigno Aquino III's administration, backed by the Export-Import Bank of Korea-Economic Development Cooperation Fund (KEXIM-EDCF).