Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said recently that with the new Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge project due to be completed in June 2021, it is “critical that construction firms be proactive rather than reactive in dealing with the increased risk of illness,” amid the current surge of Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region and the imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
He added, “We are mindful that a single case of COVID-19 [at] the project can lead to an interruption, if not total work stoppage.” The bridge project, he said, is 86% done.
Villar recently issued Department Order #30 containing revised guidelines on the implementation of allowed infrastructure projects, both public and private, during the public health crisis under ECQ and other levels of quarantine.
Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain and UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 Project Manager Benjamin Bautista checked the progress of the bridge project today (April 5) and the compliance of contractor with protocols that cover Covid-19 prevention, detection, and rapid response to maintain construction work continuity as workers who have been living in on-site or off-site barracks resume work after the Lenten break.
“Let’s get to work healthy to get the job done,” Sadain reminded the contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation, citing the current health situation particularly in the NCR Plus bubble.
In his report to Secretary Villar, Usec. Sadain said the project progress of 86% is more than 12% ahead of schedule, with all bridge substructure works completed for abutments A & B at both sides and piers of the Makati approach bridge, V-shaped piers for the main bridge, a concrete box girder for the approach bridge, 20 segments of pre-stressed concrete box girders for the main bridge using the form traveler system, and two segments of pre-stressed concrete box girder using conventional method.
The bridge construction activities are now at post-tensioning and grouting works, formworks and rebar installation for the closure section on the side spans, formworks installation for the two-meter closure section on the main bridge span, and preparatory works for approach road construction on both sides.
-JLO
