Bridges play a vital role in human civilization. They are so vital that during wars, bridges are among the infrastructure that are targeted by an invading army’s bombs and missiles to isolate the opposing side. The defending army may destroy its country’s bridges to derail an invasion.
During peacetime, bridges are also vital—they connect everyone, lessen travel time and enable trade to flourish.
Bridges do not isolate everyone in time of peace.
Despite the coronavirus disease pandemic, geopolitical tensions outside the Philippines and political noise caused by the May 9 elections, one could perhaps see hope on the horizon with the inauguration of Cebu’s third bridge, the 8.9-kilometer Cordova-Cebu Link Expressway (CCLEX), on Wednesday, April 27.
The new bridge, which connects mainland Cebu to Mactan Island, is vital to the economy and to the people living near it.
Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho has said CCLEX is expected to boost investments in tourism, real estate, retail and outsourcing in the town; in effect, the new businesses will create more employment and livelihoods in the municipality.
Aside from giving economic nourishment, the bridge could also lessen the traffic problem in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
Though CCLEX is a toll bridge, motorists from Cebu City and other towns in the southern half of Cebu Province would likely pay to cross the state-of-the-art bridge to get to Mactan Island to avoid passing through Mandaue City, a highly urbanized city with atrocious traffic during rush hour.
People from Lapu-Lapu City who intend to travel to southern Cebu need not pass through Mandaue City.
Motorists could be willing to pay the toll fee rather than saving money but wasting time and gasoline while being stuck in traffic.
Traffic enforcers and commuters could heave a sigh of relief if CCLEX eases the traffic situation in the tri-cities.
A bridge is not just a symbol of unity, it is a portent of better things to come.