SECRETARY Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday said they will construct the fourth Mactan-Mandaue Bridge between Cansaga Bay in Consolacion and Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.
Villar said the DPWH is coordinating with Japan International Cooperation Agency, which is preparing the feasibility study.
The fourth Mactan-Mandaue Bridge is included in the inter-island linkage projects of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte under the “Build, Build, Build” program.
“If realized before the end of the term of President Duterte in 2022, this will largely decongest the lingering traffic problem at the existing two bridges because those from Northern Cebu will pass the fourth bridge in going to or coming from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” Villar said.
The fourth bridge will also complement the new Cebu International Container Port in Tayud, Consolacion which was already approved for implementation by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board chaired by Duterte.
Villar said that projects in Metro Cebu, which are under DPWH, have their own task force, which is accountable for its performance.
“For projects in Cebu that we are going to implement, we are conducting survey and talk with the land owners about it. We offer market rate for the acquisition of properties. Nevertheless, it is a difficult task to get right of way,” Villar said.
“We want to engage the private sector to help us in the acquisition of road-right-of-ways,” Villar said.
The other big projects to be implemented within the term of Duterte are the Cebu-Bohol Bridge, Cebu-Negros Oriental Bridge, the 78.3-kilometer expressway from the City of Naga to Danao City.