FILE PHOTO: Chinese workers help build the China-funded Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge project that connects the cities of Mandaluyong and Makati. INQUIRER/RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday said the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge connecting the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong may open by July as its widening and repair works near completion.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain jointly inspected the project and expressed satisfaction over its progress. DPWH said the bridge widening and repair is now at 89% with construction crews already doing finishing touches on the bridge deck.
“It would be great to see the bridge reopen by July 2021 and cars driving over the economically significant Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge connecting Makati City and Mandaluyong City, ” Villar said in a statement.
“Although the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge Project is yet to be fully completed, it is great to see that final works are now taking place on the bridge approaches,” he also said.
Sadain, for his part, said additional works on the bridge, including sidewalks and a lighting system, can now begin.
“With the substructure and superstructure completed, activities now shift focus on the ancillary works on the sidewalk for pedestrians and bikers, bridge lighting system, and construction of approach road at both Makati and Mandaluyong sides,” he said.
FILE PHOTO: The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge connecting the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong in Metro Manila was dismantled in January 2019 but its parts would find new use in a bridge being built in Bolinao, Pangasinan province. INQUIRER/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
DPWH was also expecting the Lawton-Sta. Monica Bridge linking Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and Ortigas business districts in Pasig City to open by June.
With the two bridges operating, DPWH said vehicular traffic on Edsa may be reduced by 20 percent. The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge alone can accommodate around 50,000 vehicles a day, according to DPWH.
In January 2019, DPWH closed the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge as it exceeded its capacity of 20,000 motorists per day.
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