‘Modern’ Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge now open

The new Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge — which connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong — is now open to the public. President Rodrigo Duterte led the inauguration ceremonies for the bridge that is expected to help motorists to reach the two cities within five minutes. 

The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge Project is one of the two projects funded by a grant from the People’s Republic of China (the other one is Binondo-Intramuros Bridge in Manila).

Duterte expressed his appreciation to the Chinese government for funding the construction of the new bridge. “The P1.46-billion funding that they have extended highlights the goodwill of the Chinese people and its government and further cements the good relations between our two countries,” he said.

According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar, the newly-completed modern bridge across Pasig River is expected to accommodate about 50,000 vehicles on daily basis and is among the projects under the Metro Manila Logistics Improvement Network to address traffic congestion including that of EDSA. 

The DPWH shared construction of 506.46 meters bridge started on January 2019 under the implementation of DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations headed by Undersecretary Emil Sadain.

Expanded from two lanes to now four, the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge now has an added aesthetic value with the V-shaped piers that are made of pre-stressed concrete rigid frame with corrugated steel webs, replacing the temporary two-lane box truss bridge dismantled in 2019.

Unlike the old design where it only has temporary modular steel components, the new bridge has two lanes on each direction and with wider sidewalk component. 

Further, the bridge now has thermoplastic pavement markings, protective barrier and railings along both sides of the bridge, pipes for the storm water, drainage structure, and lightings.

The plan to close it in September 2018 was deferred following the public's clamor back then.

Photos from Department of Public Works and Highways

Also read:

Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge to be opened H1 2021

DPWH looks to finish Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge by mid-2021 amid restrictions

Completion of Estrella-Pantaleon, Binondo-Intramuros Bridges still on schedule