New Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge set to open in June 2021

Six months ago, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced that the wider Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will be open to the public sometime in 2021. In February of this year, the DPWH said that it will only take few months left before vehicles can cross the bridge as it is nearly 80% complete. Fast forward to April, and the government agency announced that the new bridge connecting Makati and Mandaluyong will open in June 2021.

The DPWH says that the project is now at 86%, and all substructure works on both sides have already been completed. These include the V-shaped piers for the main bridge, the concrete box girder for the approach bridge, and 20 segments of pre-stressed concrete box girders for the main bridge.

Currently, the DPWH is finishing up post-tensioning and grouting works, formworks and rebar installation, as well as road construction on both sides of the bridge. Once the project is complete, the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge will measure a total of 506-linear meters, have four lanes, and 3-meter sidewalks for pedestrians to use.

Once open in June, the new Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will surely help residents living in Makati and Mandaluyong. The DPWH estimates that about 50,000 vehicles will benefit daily from the new bridge. Travel time between the two cities will also be shortened to just 12 minutes.

With just two months to go before its scheduled opening, it's all hands on deck for the DPWH to finish the project. But with cases still rising amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), the DPWH constantly reminds its workers to follow health and safety guidelines. This is to ensure that workers are safe and that the bridge can be opened in time.