What You Need to Know About the 2025 Guadalupe Bridge Closure and Rehabilitation

Big changes are on the horizon for Metro Manila's Guadalupe Bridge as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) prepares for a major rehabilitation project aimed at making the nearly 60-year-old structure earthquake-resistant. The construction is scheduled to begin in October 2025, with the bridge's outer lanes set to be closed for 17 months. However, motorists and commuters should prepare as early as December 2024, when preliminary activities are expected to start.

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What you should know about the Guadalupe bridge closure

The Guadalupe Bridge, a critical link between Makati and Mandaluyong along EDSA, serves approximately 141,000 motorists daily. Given its strategic importance and the looming threat of seismic activity from the nearby West Valley Fault, the need for structural reinforcement is paramount. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) identified cracks in the bridge's columns as early as 2012, highlighting the urgency of retrofitting the bridge to ensure its resilience against potential earthquakes.

To minimise the impact of the closure on traffic, the DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have announced plans to construct a temporary bridge. This temporary structure will be built before the closure to accommodate daily traffic flow and reduce congestion. The temporary bridge is expected to take around 10 months to complete, and the DPWH has assured that the Guadalupe Bridge will not be closed until the temporary bridge is fully operational.

During a press conference, MMDA Acting Chairperson Romando Artes emphasised the importance of this project, stating, "You do not want to be stuck on the Guadalupe Bridge when an earthquake happens." He urged the public to bear with the temporary inconvenience for the sake of long-term safety.

Retrofitting existing infrastructure to enhance safety and capacity is not new in Metro Manila. Earlier this year, the Kamuning Flyover underwent a similar treatment, and the success of that project serves as a model for the Guadalupe Bridge rehabilitation.

As construction progresses, motorists should anticipate longer travel times, particularly during peak hours. However, commuters can take some comfort in knowing that the Pasig River Ferry will continue to operate throughout the rehabilitation period, providing an alternative route for those looking to avoid the inevitable traffic build-up.

Also read: Metro Manila Traffic Eases as EDSA-Kamuning Flyover Reopens

With the project set to last 17 months, the Guadalupe Bridge's rehabilitation is a significant undertaking that underscores the need for proactive measures in disaster preparedness. While the closure will undoubtedly cause some disruption, the long-term benefits of a safer, more resilient bridge are expected to outweigh the temporary inconveniences.

All image credit goes to Wikimedia