MANILA — The retrofitting work on the Guadalupe Bridge is set to commence in October or November 2025, as announced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday, following a coordination meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
During a press conference, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes explained that the bridge will only be partially closed to traffic during the rehabilitation.
“Wala pong total closure na gagawin, yung two outer lanes lamang po (ang isasara) dahil sabi nila yung three inner lanes, kasama yung bus carousel na portion, ay stable pa po. Magkahiwalay kasing ginawa ito, magkaibang period,” said Artes.
Artes assured the public that the partial closure will not occur until the DPWH completes the construction of temporary alternative bridges for both southbound and northbound traffic.
He mentioned that the DPWH plans to start building these temporary bridges by January 2025 and aims to finish them within 10 months, by October of the same year.
Meanwhile, the MMDA is preparing a traffic management plan for the construction period of the temporary bridges and the actual retrofitting of the Guadalupe Bridge, which is expected to take 17 months.
“Magkakaroon pa rin ito ng epekto sa traffic kasi magkakaroon ng construction doon sa area at idudugsong kasi itong temporary bridge na ito sa EDSA pa rin… Maaapektuhan pa rin po yung nasa ilalim, yung sa JP Rizal na mga sasakyan,” Artes noted.
He also clarified that the retrofitting work will not disrupt ships passing through the Pasig River.
“Guinarantee po tayo ng DPWH na yun pong ating ferry service ay makakadaan pa rin sa Pasig River. Ganun din po yung mga barges na nagdadala ng kalakal,” he said.
Separately, the MMDA announced that the damaged navigational gate in Navotas is now functional and can be closed to prevent flooding in Navotas and surrounding areas during high tide or storms. However, Artes stated that the gate cannot be fully opened yet, meaning ships are still prohibited from passing through.