Marcos inspects Camalaniugan Bridge project in Cagayan

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inspected the Camalaniugan Bridge Project that connects the northeastern and northwestern parts of Cagayan province.

''We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well in time and it was done properly. The design was done locally,'' Marcos said.

Marcos said he is hoping that the bridge will be fully operational by the Christmas season.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the Camalaniugan Bridge Project is a 1,580-meter-long cable-stayed bridge connecting the towns of Aparri and Camalaniugan. 

The P2.34 billion bridge project was a joint venture between Agafer Construction, a local construction firm, and the China-based Hunan Road and Bridge Construction. 

Construction of the bridge began in 2021, however, the completion date has been moved due to the pandemic. The PCO added that the project requires P260.2 million to complete the remaining works, with a planned completion date of January 2026.

Once completed, the Camalaniugan Bridge Project is expected to improve accessibility, strengthen economic connections, and cut travel time between Aparri, Cagayan and Ballesteros, Cagayan. 

The travel time through the Magapit Bridge is projected to decrease from one hour to at least 20 minutes, which will benefit 6,000 travelers a day.  The bridge will also serve as an alternative route to the old Magapit Suspension Bridge. —VAL, GMA Integrated News