Heavy Mandaue traffic seen as bridge works start February 1

CEBU, Philippines - With the scheduled repair of Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and concreting of Ouano Avenue next week, motorists and commuters may have to brace for heavy traffic in these areas in Mandaue City.

City Planning and Development Officer Florentino Nimor, in a press conference, told the media that the Department of Public Works and Highways has already told them of the projects’ scheduled implementation next week when the 51st International Eucharistic Congress is over.

The two contractors — JEGMA Construction for the bridge road repair and PB Obial Construction for the concreting of Ouano Avenue — are set to start with the projects on February 1.

DPWH has earlier agreed to the city’s request to stall these major projects, which were supposed to have been started last November. The request was made in anticipation to the Sinulog Festival and IEC which have drawn in huge crowds to the metro.

Nimor, however, said they hope to schedule another meeting with the DPWH officials to hold off these two projects anew as they have not yet prepared their rerouting plans.

“I requested them for another meeting with the mayor (Jonas Cortes). We hope mobalik pa sila. If not, then we need to prepare for the traffic,” he said.

Even then, Nimor shared that the bridge repair, a P129.6-million project, has already started except for the road works which will require closing one lane to allow construction activities.

As for the Ouano Avenue project, PB Obial is expected to finish it within three to four months as promised, especially as this area is already congested as it is.

The bike lane on S.B. Cabahug Street is also stalled for the meantime as this road will be used as a detour for other vehicles affected by the road closures on Plaridel Street.

The bike lane was supposed to be opened last month. Nimor said they had no other choice but to shelve it for the time being because of the major road repair. (FREEMAN)