Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang groundbreaking ng itatayong dalawang tulay sa Metro Manila.
Ito ay ang Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge na mag-uugnay sa Estrella Street sa lungsod ng Makati at Barangka Drive sa lungsod ng Mandaluyong at ang Binondo-Intramuros Bridge.
Sa kanyang talumpati, pinasalamatan ng pangulo ang China para sa pag-ako ng naturang bansa na pondohan ang naturang proyekto.
“As a friend, China once again proved that the intent of joining us in achieving progress by addressing traffic congestion in Metro Manila. The construction of these bridges will not just connect the very strategic areas of but those who will tribute to our quest to spur vibrant and economic to efficient and reliable road transportation.”
Nilinaw ng pangulo na walang anumang kapalit na hinihingi ang China sa mga tulong na ibinibigay ng pamahalaan nito sa Pilipinas.
“Its politics position, is something which is critical to China and the stand which we disagreed as we file the arbitration case. But in the meantime that we are talking about a concerted effort of both countries to develop is going on. So you promise to deal with the problem, from the president himself to the people of Republic of China, that we will discuss this at some other time, China will allow this sufficient period to sort out things and ensure that in the end, China will be fair and the equity will be distributed.”
Samantala, inatasan naman ni Pangulong Duterte ang Department of Public Works and Highways at mga kinauukulang ahensya na tapusin ang naturang proyekto ng mas maaga sa tatlumpung buwan.
Ang Estrella – Pantaleon Bridge ay may kabuuang haba na mahigit 500 metro habang ang Binondo-Intramuros Bridge naman na dadaan sa Pasig River ay may habang 734 na metro.
Sa oras na matapos ang dalawang tulay, inaasahang maiibsan ang trapik sa ilang pangunahing tulay sa Maynila, Makati at Mandaluyong.
“As an important part of the Build, Build, Build, program expect you to fast out the implementation and execution these bridges as the oder of infrastructure projects already in the pipe line. Combined efforts will be able to expedite our infrastructure programs and we will improve connectivity and mobility around the country. Together, let us join hands in uplifting the lives of our people and will give us the decent and comfortable lives that our people rightly belong.”