Mayor wants bridge between Cordova, Cebu

TO prevent traffic congestion on the two bridges connecting the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, Mayor Michael Rama proposed a bridge between Cebu City and Cordova.

Rama said the National Government should implement the project to address complaints about traffic jams on the existing bridges.

Motorists and commuters lamented the traffic congestion on the Marcelo Fernan Bridge as one lane of the old bridge is being repaired.

In his regular news conference yesterday, MayorRama asked President Benigno Aquino III
to build a third bridge before 2016.

“It will serve as a gift to the Cebuanos,” he said.

Funds

Rama is proposing a bridge that will connect Cordova to the 300-hectare South Road Properties.

He said the bridge should have been constructed before and funds have been allotted for the purpose. But the funds were used for the Marcelo Fernan Bridge instead, he added.

“I don’t know why it did not push through. Maybe because of politics,” he said.

The mayor asked the National Government to conduct a feasibility study on the proposed third bridge that, he pointed out, is in the list of projects identified by the Regional Development Council (RDC).

Rama, also RDC 7 chairman, said the third bridge was endorsed by the RDC infrastructure development committee.

Agencies

The feasibility study, the mayor said, may be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Communication, and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The Department of Finance, on the other hand, can look for funding.

“They can put their acts together and put the bridge together,” he said.

He said his proposal is not meant to contradict the plan of Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar to construct an undersea tunnel from Cebu City to Cordova.

The undersea tunnel was envisioned by former congressman Raul del Mar during the 13th Congress, but revived by his daughter in the 15th Congress.

“I’m not saying (I’m opposing). I just want whatever is quick to address the traffic problem,” said Rama.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City south district) said earlier that a roll on, roll off port near the Malacañang sa Sugbu and Shell Island in Cordova is better than a third bridge or an underwater tunnel.