MANILA — The retrofitting of the Guadalupe Bridge is expected to begin in October or November 2025, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday following a coordination meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

In a press conference, MMDA Acting Chairman Romando Artes clarified that it will only be partially closed to the public during the rehabilitation period.

“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 also assured motorists that the partial closure will not happen until the DPWH finishes building the temporary alternative bridges going southbound and northbound.

According to Artes, the DPWH expects to begin working on the temporary bridges by January of 2025, and complete it in 10 months or by October next year.

For its part, the MMDA said it is already preparing a traffic management plan for both the construction of the temporary bridges and the actual retrofitting of the Guadalupe Bridge, which is seen 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,” he said.

Artes noted that ships passing through the Pasig River will not be affected.

“Guinarantee po tayo ng DPWH na yun pong ating ferry service ay makakdaan pa rin sa Pasig River. Ganun din po yung mga barges na nagdadala ng kalakal,” he said.

NAVOTAS NAVIGATIONAL GATE

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that the damaged navigational gate in Navotas can now be closed.

Artes said this should prevent flooding in Navotas and nearby areas during high tide or the next storm.

But he said the navigational gate cannot be fully opened yet so ships are still banned from passing through.