Work on Mananga Bridge to resume Nov. 29

CEBU, Philippines — The preventive maintenance work on Mananga Bridge which was temporarily stopped due to complaints of traffic congestion may resume on November 29.

Provincial Focal Person for Traffic Jonathan Tumulak said that the operations of the contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was temporarily stopped pending their submission of a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) and putting up of signages.

“Nov. 29 sa gabii planong mag-start. Holiday ang 30 so minus ang sakyanan plus minus ang sakyanan sa sunod kay Sabado, Domingo at least dako og agi,” he said.

DPWH is set to undertake immediate retrofitting and installation of spans or beams on the bridge. The project costs P44.3 million.

In an earlier report, the agency said they also need to replace the bridge’s girders as they are starting to sag and might fall off if left unattended.

The measures were supposed to be implemented in 2017. However, multiple factors like the presence of informal settlers below the bridge prevented the DPWH from proceeding with it.

To recall, the traffic officials of Talisay City were caught off guard when the city-bound lane of Mananga Bridge I in Barangay Tabunok was closed by Zion Construction on November 14.

The contractors reportedly failed to coordinate with the city government before starting the project.

The following day, Tumulak met with representatives from DPWH and Talisay City government to discuss how to manage the traffic flow in the area.

“After sa meeting, nasabutan nga ablihan pagbalik ang pikas lane but open lang sya for light vehicles,” Tumulak said.

The project is expected to take three to four months to finish. Tumulak said that the contractors pledged to do the project 24/7 once it restarts to fast track the work.

Zion construction and the other stakeholders are set to meet next week, either on Monday or Tuesday. The proposed TMP will be presented and once approved, the project can take off again.

“Ila na ko nga gipahibalo (nga naghimo na ang Zion og TMP) ug aduna tay gidugang nga suggestion,” Tumulak said.

One of those is the suggestion to implement a truck ban from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. once the project rolls. Only those with delivery between the barangays of Tabunok and Bulacao will be allowed to pass through. —/MBG (FREEMAN)