Bridge repair

NO re-routing schemes will be implemented in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, but officials advised motorists to observe traffic signs as repairs on the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge start today.

More traffic personnel will also be assigned at the foot of the bridge to manage the traffic flow.

Frank Brazil, head of Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System, said that motorists should follow the traffic advisories placed in different areas.

He said the Mandaue-bound lane will be closed to traffic starting 6 a.m.

A wrecker truck will be on standby in case a vehicle bogs down on the bridge, Brazil said.

Earlier, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza encouraged commuters to take the ferry in going to Cebu City.

She has instructed the police to deploy personnel at the port in Muelle Osmeña with the possible influx of passengers.

Only the left side of the first Mactan-Mandaue Bridge coming from Mactan will be closed to traffic starting today until March 4. The lane has a length of 862 meters.

Engineer Eda T. de Guzman, chief of the maintenance section of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu 6th Engineering District, said the closure of half of the bridge for eight days is to make way for the removal and replacement of its asphalt pavement.

The agency allocated P18 million to replace the asphalt and corroded bars and steel trusses of the first bridge.

The other half of the bridge, or the right lane coming from Mandaue City, will be closed to traffic from March 5 to March 12. It will have the same scope of work.

The DPWH 7 will repair the two bridges connecting the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Repairs on the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge will start after the laying of asphalt on the first bridge, which the contractor hopes to finish in less than a month.

Some P27 million was set aside to replace the asphalt and two expansion joints of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge.

PLD Construction is given 90 days to complete the repairs for each bridge.

The first day of repair was scheduled on a school holiday to avoid causing traffic congestion.

President Benigno Aquino III declared Feb. 25 a school holiday to commemorate the 26th anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986.

Edwin Ermac, head of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said there will be no re-routing. He advised motorists and commuters to follow street signs that they will put up.

For example, those coming from Plaridel St. going to Mactan may turn right at A.C. Cortes Ave. then proceed to the old Mactan-Mandaue Bridge because the right side of the bridge facing Lapu-Lapu City is still open.

Those coming from Barangay Maguikay corner Mandaue Highway using A.C. Cortes Ave. may turn left to Plaridel St. going to UN Ave. then to Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge, which is still open.

De Guzman said that while the old bridge Mactan is under repair, all vehicles from Lapu-Lapu City bound for Mandaue City must take the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.