The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is reluctant on the reconstruction of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, also known as the Rockwell Bridge, as the project will cause monstrous traffic, but their hands are tied as the Department of Public Works and Highways has the final call on the project.
Jose Arturo Garcia, MMDA general manager, said the agency told the DPWH during a meeting that the 30-month closure of the bridge will surely cause monstrous traffic.
This was confirmed by MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago, saying their agency was really hesitant about the project. “We raised concerns about it for it will cause traffic congestion. But DPWH has the final call,” she said.
In addition, Pialago said that the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge has no problem and is structurally safe and sound.
Garcia was told by the DPWH that the bridge is still safe, but it cannot withstand the “Big One,” which is the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that can possibly hit the metropolis. “The bridge is safe. But not stable daw for the ‘Big One’ if ever lumindol ng malakas, according to DPWH,’” he said.
“It’s really the call of DPWH. We are just here to give alternate routes that the public can use during the construction of the bridge,” the MMDA general manager added.
Former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino has said the reconstruction of Estrella-Pantaleon bridge is unnecessary, and will only cause heavy traffic congestion, suggesting to build another bridge instead. The bridge has no problem and it is still safe, he stressed.
The bridge, which connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong, is set to be closed starting today. In a day, the two-lane bridge caters to 35,000 vehicles.
The plan of DPWH is to make it four lanes to enable it to accommodate over 50,000 vehicles daily, Garcia said.
The MMDA has designated alternate routes as the agency anticipates the monstrous traffic during the closure of the bridge. The reconstruction of the bridge is funded by China. (Jel Santos)
