Mandaue-Mactan Bridge to be closed for road rehab

CEBU - If the Department of Public Works and Highways has its way, it will close the old Mandaue-Mactan Bridge for repair of the road, now full of potholes.

During a meeting of the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board yesterday, vice chairman Engr. Pericles Dakay said that the DPWH would like to undertake rehabilitation of the bridge on December 22 and 23, this year.

However, Dakay said that there will be “more motorists using the bridge because of the Christmas season.”

“There is not enough time since the holiday season is fast approaching,” he said.

PRO-7 regional director, Senior Supt. Ronald Roderos then proposed that the rehabilitation take place on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day.

“Most of the Cebuanos will be staying in their homes on these holidays, so these are the best days to repair the potholes,” he said.

But DPWH assistant regional director Marlina Alvizo said that their funds will expire on December 31 and can no longer use them on the first day of January.

Dakay then said that they will do the repairs after Christmas. The repairs will officially take place on December 27 and 28 this year.

Alvizo said that she would talk to the contractor in charge of the rehabilitation to inform them of the updates.

“We will finish the 360-meter rehabilitation on the old bridge in two days so as to reduce inconvenience,” she added.

MCBMB chairman Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that there will be a need to coordinate with the traffic bodies.

“We should release advisories of the dates of the road rehabilitation,” Garcia said, “so motorists and commuters would be aware of the two-day closure,” the governor added.

She also said that the MCBMB should inform MEPZ and other companies in Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City of the planned repair works.

Representatives of the Department of Tourism, the National Economic and Development Authority, the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue and law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police, the Maritime Police, and the Coastguard attended the MCBMB regular meeting. – Darlanne R. Sino Cruz (CIT Masscom intern)/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)