By Jel Santos
The Tomas Claudio Bridge in Pandacan, Manila will be closed for six months beginning this Saturday because of the construction of Skyway Stage 3 Elevated Expressway.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The Tomas Claudio Bridge in Pandacan, Manila will be closed for six months beginning this Saturday because of the construction of Skyway Stage 3 Elevated Expressway.
The closure was announced by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) during a press briefing Wednesday.
Jose Artuto Garcia, MMDA general manager, said that 12,000 vehicles use the bridge every day.
Garcia said MMDA personnel and barangay officials have started clearing alternate routes to lessen the expected heavy traffic that the bridge’s closure will cause.
“No parking will be allowed in the vicinity of the bridge 24/7. Traffic enforcers shall tow vehicles that are parked there,” he said.
Transportation and Road Sector consultant Alberto Suansing, said the Skyway Stage 3 is expected to be completed by first quarter of 2020.
“We will reduce to minimum the inconvenience that the project might cause,” he said.
The portion of the bridge from Valenzuela Street to Beata Street will be opened for light vehicles for residents of the area and the immediate vicinity.
MMDA said trucks, trailers and other heavy vehicles passing Beata should take Jesus Street then Quirino Avenue Extension to destination.
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
Vehicles headed for Sta. Mesa

- Vehicles coming from SLEX, Roxas Boulevard and President Quirino Avenue must take East Zamora, straight to Labores Street right at Jesus Street, Laura Street then left at Jacinto Zamora Bridge to destination or follow usual traffic flow via Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard right at Old Sta. Mesa to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Old Sta. Mesa, Jacinto - Zamora Bridge, counterflow (new open median island) then left at Beata to destination.
- From Sta. Mesa take Lubiran, right at New Panaderos, straight to Pedro Gil Avenue to Pres. Quirino Avenue to destination.
- Vehicles coming from Tejeron/J.P. Rizal straight to Dr. M. Carreon, straight to Menandro Street, right at Laura street to destination.