THE P76.4-billion fourth Cebu-Mactan bridge project is expected to affect at least 198 structures in Mandaue City and possibly more.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office identified 29 structures that will be affected during Package Three of the bridge’s construction and 169 structures during Package Four.
However, the DPWH expects more structures to be affected as the department consolidates its data.
DPWH data reveals that the structures will include residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
The Detailed Engineering Design (DED) stage already considers a Resettlement Action Plan to cater to the families and business tenants in the affected structures.
The DPWH is working with local government units (LGUs) and other agencies, such as the National Housing Authority and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to provide compensation, assistance and livelihood programs to affected parties.
Construction
Engineer Nonato Paylado, head of the planning and design division (PDD) at DPWH 7, told SunStar Cebu on Friday, June 30, 2023, that the construction of the bridge will likely start in 2024 and be completed by 2028.
Paylado said the bridge will start from Barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City, cross over the Mactan Circumferential Road, and end near the Cansaga Bay Bridge in the Mandaue City Coastal Road.
He added that the DED was finished in March but is still being reviewed by the Bureau of Design and other consulting bodies for the plans and designs.
The project design consists of a steel box girder bridge with an orthotropic steel deck. The bridge will have a total length of 3.3 kilometers and a total width of 60 meters, of which 40 meters will be the actual road lanes.
“The bridge will have four lanes, two for each direction, but it may be expanded to six lanes,” Paylado said.
The DPWH is also considering adding bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks similar to other bridges.
Paylado explained that the DPWH is complying with the aviation and navigation requirements for the bridge in terms of its dimensions because of its proximity to the airport and marine vessels passing through the Mactan Channel.
He said the project is funded by a loan of about 120 billion Japanese yen, or roughly P50 billion, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency as an Official Development Assistance project.
Meanwhile, the remaining balance will be funded by the Philippine National Government.