DPWH Reopens Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, Defers Closure to January 2019

Following the public's clamor opposing the closure of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, which connects Makati City and Mandaluyong City, over the weekend, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with the assistance of the Makati Public Safety Department (MAPSA), reopened the bridge to traffic at around 9:30 PM of September 24, with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) being informed of the development a few hours later on 5 AM of September 25.

Pantaleon-Rockwell Bridge From MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago’s Facebook page

"Due to public clamor and apprehension of the business circle that the timing and closure will cause possible huge economic loss especially this coming holiday season, we are constrained to defer the implementation of the project and decided to proceed by first week of January 2019," DPWH project director Virgilio Castillo said in a letter dated September 24 to the MMDA.

In response, MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said that since there are still no construction activities that concerns the bridge, the civilian contractors hired to do the job merely coordinated with the DPWH.

"Siguro sa amin ma-inform lang kami for traffic management sa major thoroughfares and for public advisory (On our part, they should have informed us for traffic management on major thoroughfares and for public advisory)," Pialago said in a text message to reporters.

The project aims to widen the bridge to four lanes from the present two lanes and is expected to be completed by 2021. As to why the government thinks that plan is astute is questionable considering that the end of the bridge on the Mandaluyong side terminates into a two-lane street, creating a bottle neck that would only create traffic in the area, which is the opposite of the new bridge's intended goal.

The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is one of the two bridge projects on the Pasig River--the other being the Binondo-Intramuros span in Manila--that would be funded by China based on development assistance agreements with the Duterte administration.

Read All

Featured Articles

Recommended Articles For You

Read All

Featured Cars

  • Upcoming

Car Articles From Zigwheels

  • News
  • Article Feature
  • Advisory Stories
  • Road Test
  • Autohub Group keen on expanding Zeekr dealer network for future models
    Autohub Group keen on expanding Zeekr dealer network for future models
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Nissan PH keeps Navara pricing for Jul. amid CMEPA implementation
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 13, 2025
  • First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    First-ever ‘BYD Grab Day Caravan’ puts spotlight on Seal 5 DM-i
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Inchcape PH releases Mercedes-Benz V-Class Elegance
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 11, 2025
  • Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Latest ‘Kia Movement’ leg set this weekend
    Ruben Manahan IV . Jul 10, 2025
  • Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Auto, motorcycle brands with horses in their badges
    Paulo Papa . Today
  • Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Subaru Crosstrek vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Check out Foton Tunland V9’s hits, misses
    Check out Foton Tunland V9’s hits, misses
    Cesar Miguel . Today
  • Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Nissan Livina vs. the competition
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 11, 2025
  • Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Exploring the Jetour T2’s interior
    Cesar Miguel . Jul 10, 2025
  • Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Do you still need to wash your car after it rains?
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 12, 2025
  • What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    What should you visit first at MIAS 2025?
    Cesar Miguel . Apr 11, 2025
  • Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Do you really need 4x4 for overlanding?
    Cesar Miguel . Mar 26, 2025
  • Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Number coding 2025: what you need to know
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    EVs still require lubrication, JAMA execs say
    Paulo Papa . Mar 09, 2025
  • Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Honda BR-V S CVT: all about that ‘base’
    Paulo Papa . Jul 09, 2025
  • Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck
    Paulo Papa . Jul 07, 2025
  • First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    First drive: MG ZS Hybrid+
    Cesar Miguel . Jun 30, 2025
  • BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    BYD eMAX 7 Superior Captain: MPV for modern families
    Paulo Papa . Jun 18, 2025
  • Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: modest mover
    Paulo Papa . Jun 05, 2025