Board: Postpone bridge repair works to next year

CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB) has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 to defer the repair works on the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge to next year.

During its last meeting for this year, the body yesterday preferred to have the repair done after the Sinulog Festival and the International Eucharistic Congress in January, which will be attended by thousands of pilgrims from across the globe.

Held at the Capitol, the meeting was presided by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, who sits as chairman of the board.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, member of the bridge board, moved for the postponement of the repair to prevent visitors from a traffic snarl during the international religious gathering.

The cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue will host the Local World Youth Day as part of the IEC. The activity includes a walk from Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu to the Mandaue Reclamation Area.

Radaza added that the postponemennt would also give time for the implementing agency to augment its workforce in order to expedite the project.

But she said there is also a need to speed up the repair since it would cause massive traffic, thus inconveniencing the riding public.  The infrastructure repairs would mean one-way vehicular traffic on the bridge.

Lawyer Dean Padoga, assistant to the chief legal officer of the DPWH-7, said the matter would have to be taken up by the regional office.

“I will bring this up (to the regional office) and probably we will call up a meeting with the concerned LGUs (local government units),” he assured during the meeting.

He added that there is also a need for the approval of the bridge board before the project would commence.

The repair at the bridge was slated for August this year but was postponed due to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings. It needs 330 calendar days to finish.

The project would include rehabilitation of the road on the bridge and the annex in Mandaue City and repair of damaged deck slabs on the bridge, among others.

DPWH-7 earmarked P154 million for the project. — (FREEMAN)