Cebu’s third bridge now 61 percent complete

EVEN with the Covid-19 pandemic, the construction of Metro Cebu’s third bridge is now more than halfway towards completion.

In a statement, proponents of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) said the overall engineering, procurement and construction works of the Cebu’s third bridge now stands at 61 percent, while the construction progress alone stands at 48 percent.

The 61 percent completion includes the installation of the bridge’s stay cable which will hold the bridge deck and the installation of the cross on top of the CCLEX pylons.

The cross is one of the iconic features of the project.

The bridge will have 56 stay cables, which vary in length from 60 meters to 210 meters.

Aside from the installation of stay cables and the cross, other progress for the past months include the concreting of the bridge deck and the on ramp at the South Road Properties; construction of columns at the SRP off-ramp, Cebu viaduct; and piling works for the small bridges at the causeway that will serve as access of the fishermen to their fishing ground.

“CCLEX is set to be nearing substantial completion in 2021. Despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, we commit to continue working hard towards completing the project next year for the benefit of the Cebuanos,” said CCLEX president and general manager Allan Alfon.

The CCLEX will have two lanes in each direction and can accommodate up to 50,000 vehicles daily.

Not only the bridge can help ease the traffic problem in Marcelo Fernan Bridge and Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, but it is also envisioned to spur economic and trade activities in Cebu and other areas in Visayas.

Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), a subsidiary company of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), is undertaking the CCLEX project under a joint venture agreement with the two local government units - Cebu City and the municipality of Cordova. (JJL)