DPWH reopens Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge

MANILA, Philippines — Two days after it was closed to traffic for repairs, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reopened yesterday the Estrella-Pantaleon or Rockwell Bridge, which connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong.

Celine Pialago, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said the bridge would be closed to motorists in the first week of January 2019.

In a letter to the MMDA, Virgilio Castillo, project director of the DPWH, said they were forced to reopen the bridge “due to public clamor and apprehension of businessmen on possible economic losses.”

The project contractor, China Road and Bridge Corp., decided to start the repair after the Christmas holidays, Castillo said.

Based on the MMDA’s data, around 100,000 motorists were affected by the two-day closure of the bridge.

The MMDA also reiterated its appeal to motorists to brace for monstrous traffic jams due to the ongoing construction of roads and other bridges in the metropolis, including the Old Sta. Mesa Bridge and Otis Bridge in Pandacan.

The MMDA said the government is undertaking the rehabilitation of bridges and roads to address traffic congestion in the metropolis.