If you’ve closely followed the developments on the BGC-Ortigas Link project, you’ve read in our previous report that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was planning to partially open it by May 2021. As of the latest updates on the said project however, its partial opening was partially delayed to June 2021.
According to Secretary Mark A. Villar himself, they are looking to complete the four-lane, two-way Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge first. Currently, the said bridge spanning the Pasig River is already linked, although some finishing touches on several of its components are still undergoing. This includes its street lights, the median barrier, and its parapet.
The nearly completed bridge component of the BGC-Ortigas Link Project
Secretary Villar also added that once the access ramps near Kalayaan Avenue are completed, motorists can use the bridge. Apart from the finishing touches on the bridge, Villar along with Undersecretary Emil Sadain, and Project Managers Benjamin Bautista and Ricarte Manalac conducted an inspection last April.
The same group of executives also made prior inspections on the project last May prior to this year’s Enhanced Community Quarantine. That said, the heightened status of the quarantine might be one of the causes of the delay, although that’s speculation on our part.
Apart from the Sta. Monica-Lawton bridge, DPWH is also working to repair and upgrade nearby roads. Some of these roads include Brixton Street located at the corner of Reliance Street going to Fairlane Street, the Lawton Avenue – Global City viaduct, and 8th Avenue.
Road widening works on one of the BGC-Ortigas Link project's related roads
In total, the BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road costs Php 5.7 billion. Once complete, this project may reduce travel time between BGC and Ortigas Center from one hour to 12 minutes. It can also help reduce traffic congestion on EDSA and C5, and provide better access to and from Mandaluyong, Makati, Taguig, and Pasig.
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