MMDA: 'Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge to be closed starting Jan. 12'

MANILA, Philippines — Four months after it was reopened due to public clamor, the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, which connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong will be closed again to traffic next week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

In an advisory, the MMDA said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would push through with the closure of the bridge, also known as Rockwell Bridge, at around 8 a.m. on Jan. 12.

The bridge will be demolished and reconstructed, the MMDA said.

The MMDA did not provide alternative routes for motorists.

An estimated 100,000 vehicles will be affected by the closure.

Based on the DPWH timeline, the reconstruction, which aims to widen the bridge from two lanes to four, will be completed by 2021.

The DPWH first closed Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in September last year to start construction works, but deferrred it to January due to traffic buildup during the holidays.

The closure was slammed by transport groups because the bridge reconstruction, which is part of a P5.27-billion Chinese grant, will be tapping Chinese firms instead of local companies.

The grant allows China to conduct the survey, design and construction of two bridges along the Pasig River.

Chinese firm CCC Highway Consultant Ltd. will conduct the engineering design. China Road and Bridge Corp. is doing the civil works.