Heavy traffic expected during repair of bridge

CEBU, Philippines - Heavy traffic is expected on some major thoroughfares when the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 begins the repair of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge on June 4.

The DPWH-7 will repair 16 of the 18 expansion joints of the bridge, according to Engr. Renault Ricardo, assistant district engineer of the Cebu 6th District Engineering Office of the DPWH-7.

DPWH information officer Marie Mignon Nillama also told reporters during yesterday's AGIO Forum that traffic will also be affected by the ongoing widening of Natalio Bacalso Avenue.

On the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, repair work will be done 24/7.

"We expect everything to be completed within 88 days or by August 30," Ricardo said, asking for the public's consideration as the bridge really needs urgent repairs.

An advisory on specific work schedules beginning on June 4 until August 30 has been released by the DPWH-7.

The work schedules are as follows:

• Phase 1 - June 4 to June 17: Right lane from Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City (beside the sidewalk)

• Phase 2 - June 18 to July 1: Inner Lane from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue (beside Center Island)

• Phase 3 - July 2 to July 19: Right Lane from Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu (beside sidewalk)

• Phase 4 - July 20 to August 2: Left Lane from Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu (beside center island)

• Phase 5 - August 3 to August 16: Right Lane at viaduct Lapu-Lapu side

• Phase 6 - August 17 to August 30: Left Lane at viaduct Lapu-Lapu side.

Ricardo said they would make the necessary traffic advisories, hoping that motorists using the bridge will take note of the work schedules and exercise utmost patience during heavy traffic.

Repair of the bridge was originally scheduled for May 2 but was postponed to give more time for the information dissemination.

Supported by 80-high tensile-strength cables, the P2.3 billion bridge has 15 pillars and two towers spanning 85 meters, making it one of the longest cable-stayed bridges worldwide.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday said she directed the City Traffic Management System to submit a rerouting scheme to minimize the impact of traffic problem during the repair of the bridge.

In yesterday's press conference, Mayor Radaza said she would have City Traffic Management System head Frank Brazil closely coordinate with the officials of Mandaue City, Department of Public Works and Highways and the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board.

According to Mayor Radaza, the City Traffic Management System may use the road at the back of City Hall as alternate route for those coming from Mactan Cebu International Airport bound for Mandaue City using the first Mactan Mandaue Bridge.

The city mayor said the riding public may also use ferryboat in going to Cebu City.

– (FREEMAN)