Estrella-Pantaleon bridge all set for opening today

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will open the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge today. With that, motorists can now use it to travel from Makati to Mandaluyong or vice versa. Notably, the new infrastructure will result in a faster travel time between the two cities along with helping decongest vehicular traffic along EDSA.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar delivered the announcement yesterday, with him stating that the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge is set to open today, July 29, 2021, starting at 8:00 PM. According to DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, final safety checks on the bridge were conducted last July 27, with it being thoroughly inspected from top to bottom. Furthermore, the government agency even conducted a drive-through test last week to ensure it can handle the influx of vehicles.

The Estrella-Pantaleon bridge is expected to accommodate around 50,000 vehicles daily. Measuring a total of 506.46 meters and consisting of four lanes, the P1.46-billion project was constructed with quality materials, specifically pre-stressed concrete rigid frame with corrugated steel webs. This new one replaces the old dismantled two-lane box truss bridge that is made of modular steel components. 

As expected, the new bridge shall allow motorists to travel between Makati and Mandaluyong or vice versa with much ease and faster than before. More importantly, the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge will also help decongest vehicular traffic along EDSA.

The DPWH was successfully able to deliver its promise after the government agency announced that motorists will be able to use the new bridge before July ends. Just this year, many roads and other infrastructures were opened in order to bring better convenience to the public such as the BGC-Ortigas bridge which was opened last June 12. Both bridges serve as a seamless connection among the business districts within the metro, aside from that, the two also serve the purpose of helping decongest vehicular traffic along EDSA.