Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes gives updates about the planned repair works on the Guadalupe Bridge during a press conference held at the agency’s headquarters in Pasig City on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The Guadalupe Bridge crosses the Pasig River and links Mandaluyong and Makati cities along Edsa. Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The outer lanes of Guadalupe Bridge will be closed to the public once the construction of a temporary bridge is finished, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Don Artes said Thursday.
A temporary bridge will be constructed to eventually allow repair works on the deteriorating portion of the Guadalupe Bridge that crosses the Pasig River and links Mandaluyong and Makati cities along Edsa.
In a press conference, Artes said the Guadalupe Bridge will remain open to the public while the temporary bridge is being built. Construction of the temporary bridge will start in January 2025 and may last until October that year.
Repairs of the decaying portions of the Guadalupe Bridge will commence after and may take 17 months, according to Artes.
“January, magsisimula ‘yung preliminary work para sa pagpaplano ng temporary bridge which will take three months to four months then ‘yong construction daw po ng temporary bridge will be 10 months,” he said.
(The preliminary work for the temporary bridge will start in January, which will take three months to four months, then the construction of the temporary bridge will be 10 months.)
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“Again, habang ginagawa ‘yong temporary bridge within the 10-month period, so that’s January to October, hindi po isasara itong Guadalupe Bridge,” he added.
(Again, during the construction of the temporary bridge within the ten-month period, so that’s January to October, the Guadalupe bridge will not be closed.)
Artes noted that the timeline for the development of the temporary bridge considered the Christmas season this year.
The MMDA chief also said that repair works on the outer lanes of the road bridge are part of preparations for the “Big One” or the anticipated big earthquake that may happen when the country’s active fault lines move.
“Even po ‘yong structure ng outer bridge ay medyo deteriorated na rin po… and then mayroon na rin pong ilang cracks… Kaya priority rin po talaga ito na ma-rehabilitate. In fact, preparation ito for the Big One,” he stated.
(Even the structure of the outer bridge has slightly deteriorated… and it has several cracks… That’s why it is a priority to rehabilitate. In fact, this is a preparation for the Big One.)
Artes then clarified that the Guadalupe Bridge will not be totally closed since the inner portions are still stable.
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The MMDA chief further said that a comprehensive traffic management plan will be created as they expect heavy traffic to ensue once construction of the temporary bridge starts. They also expect that the temporary bridge development would affect the traffic situation along JP Rizal, which is located below the Guadalupe Bridge.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng traffic rerouting plan dahil nai-submit na po itong traffic management plan. Gagawa po tayo ng comprehensive pa na traffic management plan kasi maaapektuhan din po ‘ung nasa ilalim, ‘yung sa JP Rizal na mga sasakyan,” he noted.
(We will have a traffic rerouting plan because we have submitted the traffic management plan. We will form a comprehensive traffic management plan because underlying areas, like JP Rizal, will be affected.)
“‘Iyong ferry service ay makakaraan pa rin sa Pasig River, ganun din po ‘yung barges na nagdadala ng kalakal. So wala pong magiging effect on the use of Pasig River as far as it is concerned,” he added.
(The ferry service can still pass through the Pasig River, as well as the barges carrying products. So there will be no effect on the use of the Pasig River as far as it is concerned.)