The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Saturday said it is looking to finish the Bonifacio Global City (BGC)-Ortigas Center Link Road Project in September.

In a statement, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said work continues at the viaduct segment across Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City towards BGC’s 8th Avenue, since the bridge component of Sta Monica-Lawton Bridge, known as the Kalayaan Bridge, was opened on June 12 and now connects the cities of Makati, Pasig, and Mandaluyong.

“The DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations have hastened work as we target to fully complete the BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road Project in this third quarter of the year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for UPMO Operations Emil Sadain reported that piers on bored piles for the elevated structure along 8th Avenue were already constructed.

Sadain, together with UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1 project director Benjamin Bautista and project manager Ricarte Mañalac, inspected the ongoing works for the viaduct now in full swing with some of the pre-fabricated girders or the horizontal support structure of the slabs already installed on top of piers.

Sadain said the contractor Persan Construction has also started with the construction of lean concrete retaining wall for the approach ramp at 8th Avenue.

The DPWH has been in close coordination with the service utility providers including Meralco for the necessary relocation activities to prepare the area that may get affected by the construction of the ramp.

The PHP5.72-billion BGC-Ortigas Center Link Road Project involves the construction of 440-meter 4-lane Kalayaan Bridge, rehabilitation and widening of 362-meter Brixton (corner Reliance St.) to Fairlane Street, and 565-meter viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of BGC.

Once completed, travel time between BGC and Ortigas Central Business District will be reduced to 12 minutes. (PNA)