Motorists heading to Makati or Mandaluyong will soon be able to get to their destinations quicker without having to go through EDSA. And we're not talking about the new Skyway Stage 3.

During a technical inspection yesterday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said that the bridge is now 72% complete. Moreover, the bridgework is 8% ahead of schedule. Villar says that in a few months' time, travel time between Mandaluyong and Makati will only take 12 minutes.

As of yesterday, all bridge substructure works on both sides of the bridge have been completed. The V-shaped piers on the main bridge, as well as the piers on the Makati approach, are also finished. Concrete pouring works on the concrete girder on the Mandaluyong side, as well as for the first lift box girder on the Makati side have all been completed.

Secretary Villar has ordered to push the construction of the bridge to proceed more quickly in order for it to be used by the public as soon as possible.

The remaining civil works on the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge include covering formworks and rebar installation in two (2) segments of a prestressed concrete girder on the Mandaluyong side. In addition, the DPWH is busy on two more segments on the Makati side, as well as the second lift box girder for the approach bridge in Makati.

Once opened, the wider 506-linear meter bridge will once again reconnect the cities of Mandaluyong and Makati. More importantly, the new bridge will help decongest EDSA as it will provide a direct link for motorists that need to go to either city. It will also have 3-meter sidewalks on both sides to allow pedestrians to safely cross.