DPWH wants to repair old, new Mactan-Mandaue bridges

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 will remove and replace dilapidated asphalt pavements on the two bridges connecting the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

The DPWH 7 Sixth Engineering District is still seeking the approval of the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB). But Assistant District Engineer Renult Ricardo said they hope to start the project before the election ban takes effect on March 29.

The DPWH 7 entered into an P18-million contract with contractor PLD Construction to replace the asphalt and corroded bars and steel trusses on the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge.

About P27 million was set aside to replace the asphalt and two damaged expansion joints of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge. But last year, the DPWH 7 repaired only 16 out of the bridge’s 18 expansion joints because of fund shortage.

Traffic

The contractor is given 90 days for each bridge.

Asphalting works on two bridges will not be done simultaneously to avoid causing traffic congestion, Ricardo said in a press conference yesterday.

He said they hope to start the project on Feb. 28.

“Works on one bridge will start and when it is done, the other will follow. As to what bridge will be worked on first will depend on MCBMB,” he said.

The asphalting will be done one lane at a time for both bridges. Ricardo said they will propose that they work first on the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge.

After the asphalting of the first bridge, which can be finished before March 29, all lanes will be opened to traffic. The contractor, which will work round-the-clock, can then proceed with the asphalting of Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge.

Eda de Guzman, maintenance engineer of the DPWH 7 Sixth Engineering District, said they might implement the same traffic scheme they used during the repair of the expansion joints of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge last year.

“If weather permits, we can finish the projects earlier than the set deadline,” de Guzman said.

12 projects

Repairs on the two bridges are among the 12 infrastructure projects the DWPH 7 Sixth Engineering District hopes to implement in Mandaue before the election ban.

The projects include the asphalting of the Cebu North Hagnaya Wharf Road and M. Logarta St. Ricardo said the asphalting will be done at night to avoid causing traffic during the day.

The asphalting projects will not cause prolonged traffic problem because asphalting, unlike concreting, can be finished in a few days.

Edwin Ermac, head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandau, said he will assign personnel in areas affected by asphalting works.

He said the contractor will also provide personnel who can help manage the flow of traffic in affected roads.

Ricardo said they will inform the Mactan Cebu International Airport, businessmen and other stakeholders before they start their work.

They will also conduct a pre-construction conference with the contractors to discuss the timeline for the projects, safety measures and other concerns.

Ricardo assured they will closely coordinate with the traffic departments of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.