Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge

The Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge, also known as the Rockwell Bridge, is a two-lane box truss bridge crossing the Pasig River in Metro Manila, the Philippines. It connects Estrella Street in Makati on the south bank of the Pasig River, near the Rockwell Center mixed-use development, to Pantaleon Street in Mandaluyong on the north bank, near the site of the Acqua Private Residences.[1]

Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge
View of the old bridge towards Hulo, Mandaluyong
Coordinates14°34′1.2″N 121°2′13.2″E
CarriesVehicular traffic and pedestrians
CrossesPasig River
LocaleMakati and Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Other name(s)Rockwell Bridge
Preceded byMakati–Mandaluyong Bridge
Followed byGuadalupe Bridge
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge
MaterialSteel
Total length676 meters (2,218 ft)
History
Constructed byDepartment of Public Works and Highways
Fabrication byWaagner-Biro Philippines, Inc.
Construction cost₱303.655 million
InauguratedFebruary 12, 2011
Location

It is one of three bridges connecting Makati and Mandaluyong, the other two being the Makati–Mandaluyong Bridge connecting Makati Avenue and the Makati Poblacion to Mandaluyong, and the Guadalupe Bridge carrying Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) between the two cities, ultimately serving to help relieve chronic traffic congestion on the two other bridges.[2]

History

Construction

Originally announced in 2003 by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as one of several bridges to be built by October that year,[3] construction of the bridge would not be realized until several years later, when it was ultimately made part of the Bridge Construction and Acceleration Project for Calamity Stricken Areas I (BCAPCSA I) program, a three-year program funded by Austria to help the Philippines build nineteen weather-resistant bridges, building on a similar program executed by the Austrian and Philippine governments between 2001 and 2005.[4] Austrian firm Waagner-Biro provided the modular steel components for the bridge, while actual construction work was performed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).[5]

The ₱303.655 million bridge was inaugurated on February 12, 2011 by Vice President Jejomar Binay along with the mayors of Makati and Mandaluyong (Jejomar Binay, Jr. and Benjamin Abalos, Jr. respectively), DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Austrian ambassador to the Philippines Wilhelm Donko.[2]

Expansion

In June 2017, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar announced the expansion of the Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge. The new bridge, to be built using Chinese funds, would have 4 lanes and will be a 560-meter Twin Spine steel box girder bridge with concrete deck slabs. It will utilize the existing approaches while modifying the abutment and piers to accommodate the new bridge superstructure.[6]

The bridge was briefly closed in September 2018 preparation of expansion works but was shortly reopened due to the anticipated heavy traffic situation due to the holiday season. Plans for expansion works were moved to January 2019.[7] The closure of the bridge started on January 19, 2019.

Traffic regulation

In September 2015, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras announced that the government was looking into implementing a one-way traffic scheme on the Estrella–Pantaleon and Makati–Mandaluyong Bridges.[8]

References
  1. Samaniego, Theresa S. (December 16, 2011). "Acqua urbanites' refuge from the concrete jungle". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. Reyes, Ben (February 12, 2011). "Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge pinasinayaan na". Remate (in Filipino). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. Sy, Marvin (April 20, 2003). "More bridges across Pasig". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  4. "Construction of 19 Austrian-funded bridges revealed". The Philippine Star. PhilStar Daily, Inc. July 8, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. "New bridge connecting Makati, Mandaluyong opened". GMA News and Public Affairs. February 13, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  6. Placido, Dharel (June 29, 2017). "Construction of two China-sponsored bridges to begin this year". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
  7. "Estrella-Pantaleon bridge reopens to motorists". PTV News. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  8. Tipan, Eric (September 30, 2015). "Government shifts to high gear to combat EDSA traffic". AutoIndustriya.com. Double B Web Solutions Company. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
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