Former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino has expressed concern over the plan to close the Pantaleon-Estrella Bridge starting Saturday, citing the heavy traffic it will cause in the area.
The bridge, also known as the Rockwell Bridge, will be closed for 30 months to pave the way for its rehabilitation and widening into four lanes.
Tolentino said this will add to the problems of the motorists and commuters for two-and-half years.
“Walang madaliang dahilan upang isara ang tulay. Hindi naman ito sira at walang nakaambang panganib sa mga dumaraan dito. Ibayong sakit ng ulo lamang ang idudulot nito sa mga motorista kaya dapat pag-aralan munang muli ang pagpapasara dito,” Tolentino said.
The former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman said motorists who use the bridge will have to find alternative routes, adding that the traffic situation on the roads connected to the Rockwell Bridge will only worsen.
“Sa halip na sirain ang kasalukuyang tulay, bakit hindi na lamang gumawa ng panibagong four-lane bridge sa Pasig River upang makatulong sa pagpapaluwag ng mga kalsada at pagsasaayos ng trapiko,” Tolentino said.
He pointed out that the contractor of the project does not have an impressive reputation.
The Rockwell Bridge was opened to public in 2011 to accommodate more or less 100,000 motorists every day.