Philippines bridge project receiving Chinese assistance?

Plans are moving forward with regard to the Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros Bridge in the Philippines. Building the 13.2km bridge is expected to cost up to US$457 million and take three years to be completed once the construction gets underway. The bridge will be built in the Visayas Region of the Philippines and would link a number of islands, replacing the ferry services in use at present. Chinese expertise may be employed to help design and construct the link while South Korean sources could deliver a portion of the funding required. A feasibility study is being carried out at present. Construction work could commence as early as 2017 although the tender process has yet to be announced. The project will be highly challenging and the bridge will be the longest in the Philippines once complete. Chinese experience in building the Hong Kong-Macau-mainland China bridge may well be of major benefit for the Philippines project.