Spurred by its ambitious "Build, Build, Build" programme, the Philippines has hired Arup to prepare the country for an unprecedented spate of new bridges, tunnels, and highways, together worth over $11bn.
The Hong Kong office of the UK-based consulting engineer will do feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for the infrastructure, helped by a $100m loan by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The plan is to build infrastructure schemes the likes of which have never been seen before in the Philippines.
The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) signed the consulting contract in Manila on 13 February.
"Major infrastructure projects involving the construction of tunnels through mountainous areas and long-span bridges across islands are unprecedented in the Philippines," said DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.
"A world-class firm like Arup will help our government generate large-scale, state-of-the-art infrastructure projects, optimize public investment, and realize our infrastructure vision."
In October 2017, ADB approved a $100m loan to support the Philippine government in accelerating its "Build, Build, Build" programme.
Arup’s is the first of three expected consulting packages.
"We expect Arup to share its cutting-edge technology, innovation, and know-how with the government," said ADB official Hiroaki Yamaguchi.
Image: Night view of the EDSA Shaw Overpass, Mandaluyong City, the Philippines (Elmer B. Domingo/Wikimedia Commons)
