‘Cracks, corrosion present’: Engineer warns vs use of ‘unrepaired’ bridge

CEBU, Philippines - A public works engineer has warned against the dangers of continuously using the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, more commonly known as the “Old Bridge,” without repairing its worn out parts.

“Makita ang cracks, ang bars ni-corrode. Our consultants, ni-comment nga i-replace na,” said Danilo Pasicaran, project engineer at the Department of Public Works and Highways-7.

Pasicaran noted that the last repairs on the structure were made in 1992.

He said the bridge, which was constructed in 1973, may still be “structurally safe” but its repairs should not be delayed. Hence, he said the DPWH decided to fund its major repair works this year.

The repairs, which will take 330 days, will cost P129.6 million. It was supposed to start last August but was cancelled to make way for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings held here in Cebu.

The schedule was later moved to the end of November after Lapu-Lapu City’s Birhen sa Regla fiesta, but was stalled again after Mayor Paz Radaza asked DPWH to delay, citing the upcoming major events in Cebu which may further congest the major streets.

The DPWH engineer said the delay may further cause damage to the bridge. From their last inspection, there were already cracks on the slabs (pavement) and the corrosion on the bars could mean deterioration of the steels of the structure.

He said if the repairs are allowed, they will not close the bridge entirely.

He added that not all repairs will also cause closing of one lane, as they can always tell the contractor to focus first on the structures or at the U-turn slot below the bridge, where illegal structures will be removed, some trees cut, and the street cleared and repaired.

He said this kind of repair will not affect traffic.

He said it is also up to their supervisors to allow the further delay of this project.

But he warned that since Cebu only has two bridges connecting the mainland and Lapu-Lapu, it should “strengthen” both before any untoward incident happens.

“Just bear with us. The repairs will be good for everyone,” he said. (FREEMAN)