Even this lenten week, workers of Department of Public Works and Highways - Unified Project Management Office-Roads Management Cluster 1 (DPWH UPMO-RMC 1) are working double time in dismantling the structural steel components of the retired Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge.
The dismantling of the old bridge will pave way for the construction of new four (4) lane two (2) way bridge connecting Estrella Street at Makati City side and Barangka Drive at Mandaluyong City side.
DPWH Undersecretary for Technical Services and UPMO Operations Emil K. Sadain checked on Holy Wednesday the progress of activities at the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in a site visit with UPMO-RMC 1 Project Manager Melchor Kabiling and Project Engineer Oliver Angeles.
“While the old bridge’s trusses are moved offsite, workers of contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation disassemble interconnected components and turn-over to DPWH National Capital Region - Equipment Management Division at Bicutan, Taguig City for future use”, said Undersecretary Sadain.
In his report, DPWH-UPMO-RMC 1 Project Director Virgilio Castillo said that in preparation for the construction of a new bridge foundation, the contractor has already built platforms to facilitate the cutting and removal of the old bridge pier capping at northside.
One of two (2) bridges financed by China through a bilateral cooperation with the Philippines, the removal of the old two (2) lane steel bridge and construction of new four (4) lane two(2) way Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge with a total length of 506 meters is part of the traffic management master plan of DPWH under the leadership of Secretary Mark A. Villar and Undersecretary Sadain to decongest Metro Manila’s worsening traffic condition.
The new bridge will be accessible to the public by 2021.