Guadalupe Bridge Closing for 17 Months Starting October 2025

PHOTO BY Facebook/MMDA

(SPOT.ph)Big changes are coming to the Guadalupe Bridge as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) gears up for a significant rehabilitation project to make the structure earthquake-resistant. The actual construction won't start until 2025, but it's best to be informed about the 17-month closure.

Once the rehabilitation work starts, only the outer lanes of the Guadalupe Bridge will be closed to traffic, with the installment of a temporary bridge planned to help ease congestion during this period (more on this later).

When will the Guadalupe Bridge close?

The rehab work is scheduled to begin with preliminary activities as early as December 2024, with the actual closure set for October 2025. According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairperson Romando Artes, the entire project is expected to last around 17 months.

"Nakalagay saterms of referencenaoncesinara kailangan mabuksan within 17 months," Artes said in a press conference. "In effect, more or less 17 months angconstruction ngouter lanes nitongGuadalupe Bridge."

The nearly 60-year-old bridge will need structural reinforcement to ensure it can withstand seismic activity, especially since it is located near the West Valley Point, a major fault line in the region. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had suggested retrofitting the Guadalupe Bridge as early as 2012 after identifying cracks in its columns.

"Bear with us because you do not want to be stuck in the Guadalupe Bridge when an earthquake happens. The JICA study said that the West Valley Point is due anytime, to emit an energy equivalent to a magnitude 7 earthquake," DPWH Undersecretary Maria Cabral said during the Build Better More Infrastructure Form in Tarlac.

Retrofitting is the process of updating existing roads with improvements or additions to enhance safety, capacity, and resilience to environmental challenges. The same treatment was given to Kamuning Flyover earlier this year.

Traffic management plans for Guadalupe Bridge

Before the rehabilitation period, a temporary bridge will be constructed to accommodate the MMDA’s estimated 141,000 motorists who traverse the bridge every day.

"Hanggang hindi nagagawa ang temporary bridge, wala pong pagsasara na gagawin," Artes said, adding that it will likely take 10 months to build.

Motorists are advised to anticipate longer travel times once the construction of the temporary bridge starts, especially during peak hours. After all, Guadalupe Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure to Metro Manila's traffic network, linking Makati and Mandaluyong along EDSA.

As for commuters, Artes confirmed with the DPWH that the Pasig River Ferry will remain operational throughout the Guadalupe Bridge rehabilitation.

Also read: The Pasig River Ferry Isn't What You Think It Is Anymore