THE proponent of the multi-billion Cebu-Cordova bridge project and the two host local government units (LGU) agreed to stick to the original proposed sites where its approaches will be built.
However, they have to decide on the bridge design since the Cordova Municipal Government and the Cebu City Government are still reviewing which of the three proposed designs is most ideal.
In an interview with SunStar Cebu, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, chief of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, said the approach of the bridge in Cebu City will be at the South Road Properties (SRP), near the viaduct.
During his term, former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama changed the location of the approach to Barangay Ermita, particularly along the Guadalupe River.
But Sitoy said that Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants the approach to be at the SRP.
In Cordova, Sitoy said the approach will built in Barangay Pilipog, but will pass by Barangays Bang-bang and San Miguel.
Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC), through its subsidiary, the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp., will build and operate the bridge.
MPTDC signed in April 2016 the public-private partnership (PPP) agreement for the P27.9-billion Cebu-Cordova Bridge project through a joint venture with the local governments of Cebu City and Cordova.
The project involves the construction, operation, and maintenance of an 8.25-kilometer bridge that will link Cebu City to Mactan Island via Cordova.
Sitoy said the proposed bridge will be a mixture of causeway, toll plaza, viaduct and two small component bridges.
He assured that there will be no fisherfolk in Cordova who will be affected by the project, saying the proponent made sure that it won’t displace anyone.
President Rodrigo Duterte will lead the ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday.