Feasibility study for 4th bridge set

CEBU, Philippines — The feasibility study for a fourth bridge that would link Mactan Island to mainland Cebu is expected to start next year.

The study will be conducted through a grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Emil Sadain said yesterday preparatory survey for the bridge project will likely start by January 2019.

"We have coordination meeting with JICA representative and DPWH to discuss the feasibility study scheduled on Nov. 21, 2018," Sadain said during a press briefing at the "Sulong Pilipinas" economic forum at the City Sports Club in Cebu City.

Japan will fund the fourth bridge project, estimated to cost P3 billion (US$57.69 million).

Sadain said the agency was hoping to finish the project within Duterte’s term but its actual timeline is between 2019 and 2023.

"The project is located across the Mactan Channel and will span both mainland Cebu and Mactan Island," he said.

The JICA has proposed that one end of the bridge will be in Barangay Cansaga area in Consolacion town while the other end will be in Barangay Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.

Sadain said the new bridge will address the rising traffic demand between mainland Cebu and Mactan resulting from increasing air passengers, new traffic generators from economic and tourism zones, and expanded urbanization in northern Metro Cebu.

Two bridges already link Mactan to Mandaue City in the mainland.

A third toll bridge, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, is now being built to connect Cordova town in Mactan to Cebu City in the mainland, set for completion by 2021. — JMO (FREEMAN)