Hanging bridge eyed for Rockwell – MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — As thousands of pedestrians are affected by the 30-month closure of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, better known as Rockwell Bridge, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is studying whether to build a hanging bridge for them, an official said yesterday. 

Jojo Garcia, general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, said MMDA officials asked the DPWH if it could build a hanging bridge to reduce the inconvenience caused by the closure of the Rockwell Bridge to pedestrians.

DPWH officials “are considering the hanging bridge” and are studying whether it can be done and if it would be safe, he said.

The seven-year-old Rockwell Bridge, which was officially closed to motorists yesterday morning, will be replaced with a wider structure to accommodate 35,000 vehicles passing daily through it as part of a grant from Chinese government. 

Garcia appealed for the understanding as he emphasized that the replacement of the Rockwell Bridge will help ease traffic congestion in the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, including EDSA and inner roads. 

Bong Nebrija, EDSA traffic czar of the MMDA, said they are expecting heavy traffic during tomorrow’s morning and afternoon rush hours for both sides of EDSA from Guadalupe to Sen. Gil Puyat or Buendia Avenue.

EDSA has been considered one of the alternate routes for Rockwell Bridge, which connects Makati and Mandaluyong Cities.

Rerouting for Makati

In another development, a traffic re-routing scheme was implemented yesterday morning on Ayala and Buendia Avenues due to the closure of Rockwell Bridge.

The stretch of Makati Avenue, from J.P. Rizal to Buendia Avenues, will be converted into a one-way street.

This means motorists going towards Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge shall turn right at P. Burgos street and head towards J.P. Rizal Avenue-Makati Avenue intersection and turn right towards the bridge. ?

Left-turning vehicles along Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue en route to Salcedo Village must take the Zuellig Loop.

Motorists going to the Makati central business district from Rockwell Bridge must take a right turn on J.P. Rizal Avenue, turn left on N. Garcia street, right on Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue and take a left turn to Ayala Avenue.

Right-turning vehicles along J.P. Rizal Avenue from Rockwell Bridge can also make a left turn on Zapote Avenue.