The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officially opened the newly constructed ₱44-million Upper Binictican Bridge on May 15, 2025, replacing the decades-old structure built in the 1960s during the former U.S. Naval Base era.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the new bridge is a vital upgrade, connecting the residential area of Binictican to the rest of the Freeport. The old bridge, which served motorists for over 60 years, was found to be in an advanced state of deterioration following a structural assessment by SBMA and A.C. Ong maintenance management.
Construction of the new bridge was carried out by SBMA’s Office of the Deputy Administrator for Public Works and Technical Services Group (PWTSG), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bataan 1st District Engineering Office, which provided design and supervision.
According to PWTSG Deputy Administrator Engr. Marco Estabillo, the new bridge features a reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) design, with a single span, two lanes, reinforced concrete abutments, and a mat foundation suitable for the area’s rocky terrain.
The upgraded bridge measures 22.8 meters long and 7.32 meters wide, with 1.11-meter sidewalks on both sides for pedestrian safety. It is also elevated by 1.2 meters to accommodate higher water flow during typhoons and reduce clogging from debris.
To ensure smooth access, transition roads were also regraded and repaved with Portland cement and asphalt overlay.
The new Upper Binictican Bridge is expected to improve access to popular local destinations, including the Pamulaklakin Trail—a cultural and eco-tourism site run by the Pastolan Ayta community, where visitors learn indigenous survival skills in a forest setting.
