Bridge repairs opposed

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management Systems chief Frank Brazil said he opposed to the 330-day repair plan for the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge that is set to start next week, or after the city’s two-day fiesta celebration.

He said Mandaue should first fix its roads, especially Soriano and Plaridel streets.

“Sa among bahin, dili mi mosugot. Pagkahuman sa Plaridel (street), asa man ang diversion road sa Mandaue? Mosamot ang traffic. Kinahanglang tiwason ‘sa nila ang Mandaue side para at least, kung mag-divert man ang Mandaue, dili ma stock-up sa may Plaridel street,” Brazil said.

Mandaue City Development and Planning Officer Florentino Nimor, Jr. earlier said Mayor Jonas Cortes has already given DPWH-7 the green light for the bridge repairs to proceed.

Brazil said they have already met with their traffic management counterparts of Mandaue City and DPWH-7 Director Ador Canlas two weeks ago about the bridge repairs but no traffic scheme and advisory was made.

“Wala pay traffic advisory nga ilahang ipakita to warn the public nga mao na ang buhaton sulod sa 330 ka adlaw (nga repair),” Brazil said.

DPWH is spending P129.6-million for the bridge repairs that will be undertaken by JEMGA construction, the contractor that was supposed to start in August but was told to wait for the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial meetings.  Repairs include replacing the bridge’s expansion joints, reinforcing the steel, replacing the drain pipes as well as application of anti-corrosive paint, removing damaged asphalt including the rehabilitation of the access road of the Mandaue City approach.

Brazil said he finds the 330-day period “too long.”

“Kung mao sad na ang ilahang program of work, sa akong bahin, dugay ra pud na kay replacement ra man na. Kanang 330 days, taas ra kaayo nang higayona. Taas pud ang pag-antos sa mga taga-Lapu-Lapu ug Mandaue,” he said.

He said that compared to those from Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu City residents would be “greatly affected” because the city has no alternative routes.

The Manuel L. Quezon road in Barangay Pusok and the Maximo V. Patalinghug road in Barangay Pajo are the two roads in Lapu-Lapu City that serves as a “gateway” from the neighboring cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

Brazil said there was no problem about the use of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge since its repairs were finished but heavy traffic is expected there since one of the lanes of the first bridge will be closed during the repairs.

“If possible, 3 to 4 teams ang gamiton nila kay segment by segment man ang ilahang trabaho, para madali ang pag-ayo sa first bridge,” Brazil said.

He wanted to have another set of meeting with Mandaue City traffic officials and would protest if bridge repairs would really proceed anytime next week.

“Muprotesta sa mi. Labi na ang Cebu City, maapektuhan man atong mga commuters ana kung magdungan-dungan ang mga proyekto sa Mandaue,” he said, also referring to planned repairs of Plaridel Street.

Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue Chief of Operations Glen Antigua earlier said they will coordinate with Lapu-Lapu City’s CTMS to discuss and plan a joint traffic scheme once bridge repair starts.  — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud/RHM (FREEMAN)