No more one-way traffic at bridge

After four days of heavy traffic congestion brought about by the implementation of the controversial one-way traffic system at the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, the bridge management board decided to lift the scheme and instead seek to construct a third bridge to solve the problem.

The Metro Cebu Bridge Management Board, during an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon, agreed to lift the one-way traffic scheme immediately until certain measures would be set up to prevent a more serious traffic problem at the bridge.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who chairs the MCBMB, said the lifting of the scheme was based on reports submitted by the local government units of Mandaue and Lapulapu and the police.

Heavy traffic congestion was observed during the past four days when the bridge was open for one-way traffic to vehicles from Lapu-Lapu City from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from Mandaue City to Lapu-Lapu from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Garcia however noted that the scheme would not be totally shelved, and that it might be implemented once new measures and additional procedures would be put in place at the bridge.

Garcia said she takes responsibility for the inconvenience that the scheme had caused to motorists, as she thought it would solve the traffic problem.

"There is no further justification except that there is a need really for additional access," Garcia said.

The governor said they have seen the need to construct a third bridge between the mainland Cebu and Mactan Island, adding that they had passed a resolution requesting the national government through the Regional Development Council for its construction. -Fred P. Languido