Mactan Bridge repairs begin

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue-Mactan Bridge was partially closed to traffic starting yesterday after the Department of Public Works and Highways started its repair and asphalt overlay of the lane for vehicular traffic from Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City.

Assistant 6th District DPWH Engineer Renault Ricardo yesterday said that traffic along the lane from Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City was closed at 9 a.m. yesterday and barricades were set up.

Ricardo said that the lane from Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu City remains open to motorists in order not to delay those with flights to catch at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

He said that works will be carried out 24/7 and they expect it to be complete in three weeks to one month. 

During the first day of work yesterday, Ricardo said traffic remained the same at the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge but it was heavy at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge as the volume of traffic doubled due to the diversion of the route.

DPWH earlier assured that they will not proceed with repair works at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge until works at the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge are complete.

Repairs to the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge are estimated at P18 million which includes asphalt overlay of the whole stretch and some repairs in the pier below while the budget estimate for the Marcelo Fernan Bridge is pegged at P27 million which will cover asphalt overlay and the repair of two expansion joints.

Meanwhile, Frank Brazil of the City Traffic Management System of Lapu-Lapu City said yesterday that even if the vehicles were diverted to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge the situation was not so bad.

He said traffic was heavy around 1 p.m. yesterday but it returned to normal an hour later.

But traffic is expected to be heavy today with the resumption of classes.  With this traffic enforcers will have to strictly implement the no-stopping zone in areas near the Marcelo Fernan Bridge to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

Rodolfo Sodayon of the Mandaue City Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue said in anticipation of heavy traffic today they made sure to field additional personnel at the no-unloading/loading zones along UN Ave. to keep traffic flowing smooth in the area.   (FREEMAN)