Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge

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"Kalayaan Bridge" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Kalayaan Flyover.
Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge
Ortigas-BGC Bridge (Makati; 06-06-2021).jpg
Coordinates14°33′58.752″N 121°3′17.6148″E / 14.56632000°N 121.054893000°E / 14.56632000; 121.054893000Coordinates: 14°33′58.752″N 121°3′17.6148″E / 14.56632000°N 121.054893000°E / 14.56632000; 121.054893000
CrossesPasig River
LocaleMakati, Pasig, and Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Other name(s)Bonifacio Global City–Ortigas Link Bridge
Kalayaan Bridge
Preceded byGuadalupe Bridge
Followed byC.P. Garcia Bridge
Characteristics
Total length613.77 m (2,013.7 ft)
No. of lanes4
History
Construction startJuly 19, 2017
Construction cost₱1.857 billion
OpenedJune 12, 2021; 6 months ago (2021-06-12) (main bridge)[1]
October 1, 2021; 2 months ago (2021-10-01) (viaduct)[2]
Location

The Santa Monica–Lawton Bridge, also known as the Kalayaan Bridge and Bonifacio Global City–Ortigas Link Bridge, is a four-lane, two-way bridge across the Pasig River that connects Lawton Avenue in Makati to Santa Monica Street in Kapitolyo, Pasig.[1][3] The bridge spans 613.77 meters (2,013.7 ft)[3] and the construction cost of the bridge is ₱1.857 billion as of 2017.[3]

The bridge aims to decongest nearby thoroughfares like EDSA and Circumferential Road 5 and cut travel time between Taguig and Ortigas from 30 minutes or 1 hour to only 12 minutes.[4] The bridge was partially opened on June 12, 2021 with the completion of its key component, the Kalayaan Bridge,[1] while the Kalayaan viaduct opened on October 1, signaling the full completion of the bridge.[2]

The bridge is currently passable to light vehicles only.

History[]

The view from the bridge towards Lawton Avenue in June 2021.

The bridge was conceived only during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III as Phase I of the 1.48-kilometer (0.92 mi) Bonifacio Global City–Ortigas Link Road Project[3] which would connect the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to the Ortigas Center in Pasig.[3] The groundbreaking ceremony on the project took place as part of the Build! Build! Build! Infrastructure Program under the Duterte administration on July 19, 2017, marking the official start of construction.[4] The project is handled by a joint venture of Persan Construction, Inc. and Sino Road and Bridge Group Company Ltd., with consultants DCCD Partners and Pertconsult International.[5] Aside from the bridge itself, the construction project also includes improving access to the bridge by upgrading Brixton and Fairlane Streets on the Ortigas side and 8th Avenue on the BGC side.[5] The bridge was originally expected to open in 2020, but was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

The bridge was inaugurated by top government officials on June 12, 2021, coinciding with the Philippine Independence Day commemorations. It partially opened to vehicles on the same day.[1][6] The southbound lane to BGC was made accessible to vehicles on the same day, while the northbound lane was accessible to vehicles the following day. Meanwhile, the BGC-Kalayaan viaduct was then inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on September 30 and was opened on October 1, 2021.[2]

Bridge layout[]

The bridge consists of a 4-lane main bridge spanning 613.77 meters (2,013.7 ft) that connects Lawton Avenue in Makati to Fairlane Street in Pineda, Pasig across the Pasig River and J. P. Rizal Avenue,[3] known as the Kalayaan Bridge. It will also include the Lawton Avenue – Global City Viaduct, a 2-lane viaduct spanning 565 meters (1,854 ft) that will connect the main bridge to 8th Avenue in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig across Kalayaan Avenue.[1][4][7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Rey, Aika (June 12, 2021). "BGC-Ortigas Center Link's 'Kalayaan Bridge' now open". Rappler. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c De Guzman, Marcus (October 1, 2021). "BGC-Ortigas Viaduct is now open". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "NEDA Board Approved Projects (Aquino Administration) From June 2010 to June 2017" (PDF). National Economic and Development Authority. February 28, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "DPWH unveils the construction of BGC-Ortigas link road and bridge project". Manila Livewire. July 20, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "All systems go for June 12 opening of BGC Bridge: DPWH". Philippine News Agency. June 5, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  6. ^ De Guzman, Marcus (May 7, 2021). "DPWH to open BGC-Ortigas Link on Independence Day". AutoIndustriya.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Cordero, Ted (June 12, 2021). "DPWH opens Sta. Monica-Lawton 'Kalayaan' Bridge on Independence Day". GMA News. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
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