JFE Engineering Corp. has landed a contract to renovate the Guadalupe Bridge, one of Metro Manila’s most critical transportation arteries, as part of an ¥18 billion ($122 million) infrastructure project financed through Japan’s official development assistance.
The nearly 60-year-old bridge, which spans the Pasig River connecting Makati and Mandaluyong cities, handles approximately 141,000 vehicles daily and requires significant seismic reinforcement to withstand potential earthquakes. JFE’s portion of the contract is valued at about ¥10 billion.
Work is scheduled to begin in October 2025 and will span approximately 17 months. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority plans to implement a comprehensive traffic management strategy, with outer lanes closing during reconstruction while maintaining traffic flow on remaining lanes.
The renovation includes replacing aging piers beneath the bridge. This marks a rare instance of a Japanese company participating in an ODA-funded bridge repair project.
JFE views the contract as a strategic opportunity to expand internationally amid fierce domestic competition. With increasing traffic straining aging infrastructure across emerging markets, similar renovation projects are anticipated throughout Asia and Africa in coming years.
