AFTER repairing the Cebu City-bound lane of the Mananga 3 bridge on the Cebu South Coastal Road in Talisay City earlier this month, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) closed the bridge’s opposing lane for maintenance works, starting last night, an official said.

Jonathan Tumulak, Capitol focal person for traffic management, told reporters yesterday that DPWH’s contractor, Quirante Construction, will install expansion joints on the bridge’s southbound lane. It’s expected to be completed in a month.

Tumulak said that the contractor, DPWH and Talisay City Government came up with a temporary traffic scheme to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles.

The Cebu City-bound lane of the bridge will be open to traffic, but only the outer and inner lanes of the bridge’s southbound lane will be passable, while work on the center lane starts.

Tumulak said the DPWH will establish a zipper lane by opening the center isle to emergency vehicles.

He said the contractor has also committed to work 24 hours to finish the project as soon as possible.

Mactan bridge closure

Meanwhile, the DPWH is set to close a part of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge on Aug. 7 to repair and rehabilitate its viaduct.

Officials of the DPWH’s 6th Engineering District made the announcement during the monthly meeting of the Bridge Board at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Engr. Eda T. De Guzman, chief of the DPWH Sixth Engineering District’s maintenance section, told reporters that they are conducting maintenance works and repairs on the second bridge.

De Guzman said that they will install solar-type light studs on the bridge, change the asphalt on the sidewalk and retrofit the bridge’s supporting columns.

He assured that they will close the viaduct for only 10 days.