Construction of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge that links Makati and Mandaluyong is now 72 percent completed and is aimed for completion by the second quarter of 2021.

In an inspection Wednesday, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar announced that in the second quarter of 2021, motorists will be able to utilize the widened and modernized Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge.

By March, Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City will “already be connected.”

“By March connected na yung bridge and by the first half of the year, makukumpleto na (By March the bridge will finally be connected and by the first half of the year, it will be completed),” Villar said.

The secretary also noted that the construction of the China-funded bridge is “8 percent ahead of schedule.”

As of January 6, all bridge substructure works on abutments of both sides; piers on Makati approach as well as main bridge; and the V-shaped piers for the main bridge were installed.

Also completed are concrete pouring works for four segments of prestressed concrete girder in Mandaluyong side and concrete pouring works for the first lift of box girder for the approach bridge in Makati.

According to Undersecretary Emil Sadain, the department is now working on the remaining civil works covering formworks and rebar installation in two segments of prestressed concrete girder in Mandaluyong side and two more segments in Makati side as well as for the second lift of box girder for the approach bridge in Makati side.

The bridge is designed to decongest Guadalupe Bridge along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue.

Once fully completed, the motoring public can expect traffic relief by providing additional fix link and alternative route crossing the Pasig River using a new two-way four-lane bridge with a total length of 506.46 meters.

It also features three-meter sidewalks on both sides.