Jones Bridge

{{Infobox bridge

|bridge_name = Jones Bridge

|image = Jones Bridge (Manila; 01-30-2021).jpg

|image_size = 300px

|alt = Photo of Jones bridge

|caption = The bridge in 2021

|official_name = William A. Jones Memorial Bridge

|other_name = Banzai Bridge ({{circa|1942}})

|named_for = William Atkinson Jones

|carries = Motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles

|crosses = Pasig River

|locale = Manila, Philippines

|maint = City Government of Manila
Department of Public Works and Highways - North Manila District Engineering Office{{cite web|url=https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/gis/dbi|title=Detailed Bridge Inventory|website=Department of Public Works and Highways|access-date=March 17, 2021}}

|designer = Juan M. Arellano
{{small|(1919–20)}}

|design = Neoclassical arch bridge
{{small|(1919–45)}}

Girder bridge{{Sfnp|Structura|2019|ref=Structurae}}
{{small|(1945–present)}}

|material = Steel-reinforced concrete

|mainspan = {{Convert|300|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}{{Sfnp|NGS|1940|ref=NGS 1940|page=127}}

|spans = 3

|pierswater = 2

|length = {{convert|115|m|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|16.70|m|abbr=on}}

|load = {{Convert|20|t|kg|abbr=on}}

|below = {{Convert|7.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} at mean tide{{Sfnp|MMUTIS|1999|ref=JICA 1999|page=37}}

|traversable = yes

|lanes = 4 (2 per direction)

|builder = City Government of Manila {{small|(1919–20)}}

Philippine Bureau of Public Works {{small|(1920, 1945)}}

U.S. Bureau of Public Roads {{small|(1945)}}

|begin = 1919

|complete = 1920

|inaugurated = 1921

|preceded = Binondo–Intramuros Bridge

|followed = MacArthur Bridge

|collapsed = February 1945

|rebuilt = 1946

|replaces = Puente de España

|coordinates = {{coord|14|35|45|N|120|58|38.3|E|region:PH_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

}}

The William A. Jones Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Jones Bridge, is an arched girder bridge that spans the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines. It is named after the United States legislator William Atkinson Jones, who served as the chairman of the U.S. Insular Affairs House Committee, which had previously exercised jurisdiction over the Philippines and was the principal author of the Jones Law that gave the country legislative autonomy from the United States. Built to replace the historic Puente de España (Bridge of Spain) in the 1910s, the bridge connects Quintin Paredes Road in the Binondo district to Padre Burgos Avenue in the Ermita district.

Originally designed by Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano using French Neoclassical architecture, the first incarnation of the bridge features three arches resting on two heavy piers, adorned by faux-stone and concrete ornaments, as well as four sculptures on concrete plinths allegorically representing motherhood and nationhood. The original bridge was destroyed during World War II by retreating Japanese troops and was reconstructed in 1946 by the U.S. and Philippine public works. The reconstructed bridge retained the three arches and two piers but removed all the ornaments. The bridge was first partially restored in 1998. In 2019, the City Government of Manila began a rehabilitation project to "restore" the Jones Bridge to its near-original design using Beaux-Arts architecture similar to that of Pont Alexandre III in Paris and the return of the three extant La Madre Filipina sculptures (the 4th requiring reconstruction).

History

= First Jones Bridge (1919–1945) =

File:Jonesbridgebefore.jpg

File:Jones Bridge Manila 1930's Philippines.jpg

The Jones Bridge was originally commissioned under the auspices of the City Government of Manila in 1919, before the Insular Government, through the Philippine Bureau of Public Works, later took over in finishing the bridge's construction in 1920.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} The bridge was intended to replace the Puente de España (Bridge of Spain), the first bridge built to cross the Pasig River constructed during the Spanish colonial era and the last incarnation of bridges that span the same location since 1630. It collapsed during the heavy rains of September 1914 that weakened the central pier, resulting in the middle span of the bridge collapsing. The Puente, located one block upstream at Calle Nueva (now E.T. Yuchengco Street), was temporarily kept open using a temporary truss bridge as the new bridge was being constructed at Calle Rosario (now Quintin Paredes Street).{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}}

The construction of new bridges was part of a master plan of Manila. Daniel Burnham, who wanted to emphasize the city's rivers and liken them to the Seine River in Paris and the canals of Venice.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} This plan was heavily implemented and supervised by William E. Parsons. However, upon the passage of the Jones Law, which gave the country autonomy from the United States, Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano took over and finished the bridge's final design. William Atkinson Jones, the author of such law, died in 1918 while the bridge was still being planned, and the Filipinos named the passageway after him.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}}

Arellano designed the bridge in the style of the passageways constructed during Haussmann's renovation of Paris.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} He embellished the piers with statues of boys on dolphins, similar to those on the Pont Alexandre III at the Seine (which he had previously visited).{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} Like the Parisian Pont, he marked both ends of the bridge with four plinths. Arellano commissioned a sculptor named Martinez to build four statues called La Madre Filipina (The Philippine Motherland), which would be placed on the pedestals.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}}

File:Jones Bridge Manila Philippines2.jpg|Architectural sketch by Arellano

File:Jones Bridge Manila Philippines.jpg|Center ornamental sculptures

File:Jones bridge Manila Philippines before the war.jpg|View from the bridge road

File:Jones Bridge Manila 1.jpg|Center sculpture side view

File:Jones Bridge Manila Pier.jpg|Pier sculpture

File:Manila streets 1930s.jpg|Plaza Moraga side of Jones Bridge

== World War II ==

The bridge was renamed Banzai Bridge during the Japanese occupation through Executive Order No. 41 issued by Philippine Executive Commission Chairman Jorge B. Vargas in 1942.{{cite PH act|url=http://malacanang.gov.ph/6371-executive-order-no-41-s-1942/|chamber=EO|number=41|year=1942|title=Changing the name of Dewey Boulevard to Heiwa Boulevard; Taft Avenue to Daitoa Avenue; Harrison Boulevard to Koa Boulevard; Jones Bridge to Banzai Bridge; Harrison Park to Rizal Park; and Wallace Field and Burnham Green to Plaza Bagong Filipinas|access-date=April 26, 2021|archive-date=April 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426123131/http://malacanang.gov.ph/6371-executive-order-no-41-s-1942/|url-status=dead}} During the Second World War, the Japanese Army bombed the bridge against the incoming American troops during the Battle of Manila.{{Sfnp|Arnold|2015|ref=Arnold 2015}}{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} One of the four statues was permanently lost during the destruction.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} After the war, a Bailey bridge was set up as a temporary vehicular passageway while the main bridge was being rebuilt.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}}

{{Gallery

|title=Gallery of the Jones Bridge at the end of World War II

|width=160 | height=170

|align=center

|File:Jones Bridge, Manila - 10 July 1945.jpg

|alt1=A monochrome photo of the Jones Bridge and its surrounding buildings destroyed

|The Jones Bridge and its surrounding buildings destroyed following the Liberation of Manila

|File:Jones-bridge-1945.jpg

|alt2=Profile of stone face on mountainside, with 3 workers.

|Aerial view of the temporary Bailey bridge and Ermita

|File:Post-Office-Jones-Brdg-1947.jpg

|alt3=A bridge being reconstructed with cars passing by

|1947 reconstruction of Jones Bridge

}}

= Second Jones Bridge (1946–present) =

== Post-war reconstruction ==

File:Pic geo photos - ph=mm=manila=pasig river=jones bridge - connecting intramuros and binondo; aerial shot from riverview mansion -philippines--2015-0624--ls-.JPG and Manila Bay in the background)]]

Following the passage of the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1945, the Philippine Bureau of Public Works and the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads reconstructed the Jones and Quezon bridges using large and deep steel girders.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}}{{Sfnp|United States. Bureau of Public Roads|1945|ref=BPR 1945}} Upon its completion, none of its original ornamentation on either piers or balustrades was restored, and its neoclassical aesthetic was replaced with unadorned architecture in an urgent haste to finish its reconstruction.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} The three remaining La Madre Filipina statues were also removed, and its plinths were demolished. One was relocated within Rizal Park, while the other two were relocated to the entrance of the Court of Appeals Main Building.

== 1998 restoration ==

In 1998, in celebration of the Philippine Centennial Independence, the bridge was partially restored by architect Conrad Onglao, who was commissioned by then-First Lady Amelita Ramos. Stone balustrades replaced the post-modern steel design.{{Sfnp|Alcazaren|2001|ref=Alcazaren 2001}} During the time of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, the steel girders were lighted and thematic lamp posts were added onto the bridge, which drew mixed reactions. Two fu dogs were also added at the base of the bridge's south side, which gave it a Chinese character as opposed to its original neoclassical design.

== 2019 redevelopment ==

File:Jones_Bridge_ML_PH_(M._Onod_pic)_-_Flickr.jpg

In 2019, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno announced plans to "restore" the Jones Bridge to its near-original architecture, including the return of the three surviving sculptures that had previously guarded the bridge, using the ₱20 million donated towards the project. The fourth sculpture destroyed by the war was replicated using the archives of the pre-war Jones Bridge in the National Library of the Philippines. Moreno commissioned Jose Acuzar, owner of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, to design and build Beaux-Arts-styled lamp posts similar to those on Pont Alexandre III. The four plinths for the La Madre Filipina statues were reconstructed, which would act as the pedestal for the returning sculptures. Retrofitting and repair works were also done on the steel girders of the bridge.

The statues of Gratitude and Democracy were reinstated at the bridge on November 22. Jones Bridge was inaugurated on November 24, 2019, and was formally opened to the public. However, the remaining statues of La Madre Filipina located at the grounds of the Court of Appeals were deemed too fragile to be moved for relocation to their original spots. They were instead replicated and reinstated at their original locations in June 2021.

Sculptures

File:Jones Bridge (Binondo Side).jpg

File:Monuments_and_memorials_in_Manila_01.jpg

The four statues guarding the bridge are called La Madre Filipina (The Philippine Motherland). Three were spared from the war but relocated. The fourth one was destroyed, and it was replicated in the 2019 redevelopment. Each statue symbolizes a different aspect of nationhood since the Philippines was transitioning from being a colony of the United States to gaining its independence at the time.

Gratitude: Located on the southeast corner of the bridge, this sculpture was transferred to Rizal Park after World War II and reinstated in its original location after 74 years. While on display at the park, it was prominently called La Madre Filipina.
Democracy: Destroyed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. It was replicated in 2019 using archives provided by the National Library of the Philippines and installed at the southwest corner of the bridge where the former statue once stood.
Progress: Located on the northwest corner of the bridge, it symbolizes labor, education and power. A replica of the original statue was installed in June 2021, together with Justice. The original one, located on the grounds of the Court of Appeals, was deemed too fragile to be relocated.
Justice: Located on the northeast corner of the bridge, it symbolizes law and order and equality under the law. A replica of the original statue was installed in June 2021, together with Progress. The original one, located on the grounds of the Court of Appeals, was deemed too fragile to be relocated.

Traffic

File:Jones Bridge - to Binondo (Manila; 11-24-2019).jpg

The Jones Bridge rarely suffers from traffic congestion, which usually occurs at both ends of the bridge due to parking violations. Water buses of Pasig River Ferry Service also habitually pass under it to reach its Escolta Street station. Every January 9 of the year since 2013, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority annually closes the bridge from car passage for a procession during the Feast of the Black Nazarene after the Department of Public Works and Highways deemed the nearby MacArthur Bridge unstable to accommodate increasing foot traffic during the festivities. However, the Translacion was rerouted to Ayala Bridge starting in 2020, which was recently retrofitted.{{cite web | url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1208489/traslacion-2020-to-use-ayala-bridge-for-procession-route | title=Traslacion 2020 to use Ayala Bridge for procession route | date=January 2, 2020 }}

Incidents

In 1989, the bridge was the location of an ambush in which P2 million in cash was stolen, and two policemen were killed.{{cite news|last1=Ignacio|first1=Bert|last2=Fernando|first2=Jean|title=Soldiers, not cops, in Jones Bridge ambush|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8cBNEdFwSQkC&dat=19890613&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|access-date=June 8, 2021|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Kagitingan Publications, Inc.|date=June 13, 1989|page=7}}

In 2012, the Philippine Coast Guard issued a ban on swimming along the Pasig River after three floating bodies were discovered within the vicinity of the bridge.

In 2019, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission rescued three teenagers who were struggling to swim under the bridge from drowning.

In popular culture

The bridge was featured in the 2021 Philippine romantic fantasy The Lost Recipe.
The 2007 Filipino film The Promise has a scene in which Daniel (Richard Gutierrez) is tasked with assassinating someone underneath the bridge's tunnel. Although he was unable to do it, he sets the man free afterwards.
The bridge is the backdrop for the 1989 film Jones Bridge Massacre: Task Force Clabio, starring Lito Lapid. The film was based on real-life events.
The bridge was also featured in the 2023 Philippine action series FPJ's Batang Quiapo as one of its locations.

Gallery

Jones_Bridge_over_the_Pasig_River,_Manila,_Philippines,_c1930s.jpg|Jones Bridge in the 1930s

Post-Office-Jones-Brdg-1947.jpg|Jones Bridge after the Battle of Manila in 1947

07568jfSanta_Cruz_Manila_Pasig_River_Ferry_Streets_Landmarksfvf_06.jpg|Jones Bridge in 2016

Binondojf9974_14.JPG|Carriageway of the bridge prior to the 2019 redevelopment

File:Jones_Bridge_(Binondo,_Manila;_12-31-2021).jpg|Jones Bridge at sunset

File:Jones_Bridge1.jpg|Water reflections in 2024

References

{{Reflist|2|refs=

{{cite web |first=Katrina |last=Domingo |title=Mayor Isko receives P20M from Chinese businessmen for Manila bridge project |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/12/19/mayor-isko-receives-p20m-from-chinese-businessmen-for-manila-bridge-project |publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=September 12, 2019}}

{{cite web |title=Look: New lampposts along Jones Bridge |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/16/19/look-new-lampposts-along-jones-bridge |publisher=ABS-CBN |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=October 16, 2019}}

{{cite web |title=The Capital Report |url=http://manila.gov.ph/2019/10/the-capital-report/ |publisher=City of Manila |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=October 18, 2019}}

{{cite web |title=Pasig River Ferry FAQ |url=http://www.mmda.gov.ph/20-faq/1468-pasig-river-ferry-faq.html |publisher=MMDA |access-date=October 20, 2019}}

{{cite web |last1=Cahiles-Magkilat |first1=Bernie |title=Chamber opposes China-funded Binondo-Intramuros bridge |url=https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/09/05/chamber-opposes-china-funded-binondo-intramuros-bridge/ |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020082717/https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/09/05/chamber-opposes-china-funded-binondo-intramuros-bridge/ |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web |last1=Baron |first1=Gabriela |title=Three minors rescued from drowning in Pasig River |url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/10/three-minors-rescued-from-drowning-in-pasig-river/ |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019 |archive-date=October 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020085525/https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/10/three-minors-rescued-from-drowning-in-pasig-river/ |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web|title=DPWH cautions use of MacArthur and Quezon bridges in Manila for Black Nazarene translacion activities |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2013/01/07/dpwh-cautions-use-of-macarthur-and-quezon-bridges-in-manila-for-black-nazarene-translacion-activities/ |publisher=Republic of the Philippines |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=September 5, 2018}}

{{cite web |last1=Macairan |first1=Evelyn |title=PCG: Ban swimming in Pasig River |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/03/07/784223/pcg-ban-swimming-pasig-river |website=Philippine Star |access-date=October 20, 2019 |date=March 7, 2012}}

}}

{{cite book |last1=Arnold |first1=Henry H. |author-link1=Henry H. Arnold |title=American Airpower Comes of Age |date=2015 |publisher=Pickle Partners Publishing |isbn=978-1786251527 |ref=Arnold 2015}}
{{cite book |title=Technical Report Number 12: Water Transport in Metro Manila |author=MMUTIS |date=March 1999 |publisher=Japan International Cooperation Agency |url=http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11580586_01.pdf |access-date=October 20, 2019 |ref=JICA 1999}}
{{cite book |author1=United States. Bureau of Public Roads |author-link1=Federal Highway Administration |title=Report - U.S. Bureau of Public Roads |date=1945 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |ref=BPR 1945}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/modern-living/2001/09/29/135115/jones-bridge-diary-link-romantic-past |title=Jones Bridge Diary: The link to a romantic past |work=Philippine Star |first=Paulo |last=Alcazaren |date=September 29, 2001 |access-date=October 20, 2019 |ref=Alcazaren 2001 }}
{{cite journal |author1=NGS |author-link1=United States Coast and Geodetic Survey |title=United States Coast Pilot: Philippine Islands |date=1940 |volume=613-614 |issue=613–614 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |ref=NGS 1940 }}
{{cite web |title=Jones Bridge |url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/jones-bridge |author=Structurae |publisher=International Database for Civil and Structural Engineering |access-date=October 20, 2019 |ref=Structurae}}

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