Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge —LYN RILLON
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was equally baffled when the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge (Makati-Mandaluyong bridge) was reopened to motorists on Tuesday morning after two days of closure.
MMDA Special Operations Bong Nebrija told Radyo INQUIRER on Tuesday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) did not inform the MMDA that the bridge would be opened on Tuesday morning.
“Pare-pareho tayong nasorpresa doon pati ‘yong mga kababayan natin na nagrereroute na then they learned na bukas pa pala. Pati kami kanina nababatikos doon. Akala isasara tapos ngayon bukas,” Nebrija told RadyoINQUIRER.
The bridge connecting Makati and Mandaluyong was closed last Sunday for repairs. It was supposed to be closed for 30 months.
Nebrija said he saw on Sunday the initial mobilization being done by the contractors.
“Pareho po tayong nabigla sa pagbubukas noon kasi noong linggo nga nakita namin na noong sinabi nilang alas otso sila magsasara, they really closed it. Nakita rin namin ‘yong initial mobilization ng contractor. Mayroon ng mga yerong iniharang doon, ‘yong talagang ready na magsimula,” Nebrija said.
Nebrija said he did not know why the DPWH re-opened the bridge. He further explained that the MMDA has already coordinated with local traffic units in Makati and Mandaluyong to manage the heavy traffic in the area since the bridge would be closed.
“Hindi po namin alam kung saan nagkaroon ng failure of coordination doon but ang sa amin lang if there was even a failure of coordination, we need to address that out dahil ang mas apektado dyan yung mga motorista na dumadaan dyan,” Nebrija said.
Nebrija said the the bridge will remain open until further notice. /muf