LAPU-LAPU City should put up signs encouraging motorists to use the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge to prevent traffic congestion on the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge, according to the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team).
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, for her part, asked Team to give vehicles from Lapu-Lapu more time when crossing the intersections in Mandaue that connect to the two bridges so the traffic jam will not reach the city.
The Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 has finished 20 percent of the total rehabilitation of the first bridge, as of yesterday.
Engr. Christopher Mike Cabarrubias, on-site engineer of DPWH 7’s Construction Division, said an epoxy will be injected into the cracks at the bottom side of the bridge. After that a carbon-fiber sheet will be placed.
The asphalt of one lane of the first bridge, particularly the lane going to Lapu-Lapu, has been scraped.
Cabarrubias said waterproofing material will be placed on it followed by an overlay of asphalt.
The new method of bridge rehabilitation, he said, will not endanger the Metropolitan Cebu Water District’s pipelines that are attached to the bridge.
Cabarrubias estimated that the repair of the deck slab alone will take two to three months.
However, the Lapu-Lapu-bound lane of the first bridge will continue to be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. until the rehabilitation is completed on Aug. 29, Cabarrubias said.
Open during the day
Both lanes of the first bridge are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. since the bridge’s rehabilitation resumed last April 2.
In a press conference, Nimor suggested that the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System install tarpaulins inviting motorists to use the first bridge to avoid a traffic jam on the second bridge.
Last Wednesday, a traffic gridlock lasted six hours, affecting the entire stretch of U.N. Ave. in Mandaue leading to the second bridge, and affected the M.L. Quezon Highway in Lapu-Lapu.
Aside from the no-left turn policy implemented from U.N. Ave to P. Burgos St., Team believed that motorists tried to avoid the first bridge during that time.
“For motorists, (they should) maintain their usual travel habits, including the time and route. Wa may mahitabo sa buntag (No lane of the first bridge will be closed during the day),” Nimor said.
Since the repair of the first bridge resumed, there has been no problem with the traffic flow in both cities, except for the gridlock last Wednesday.
To minimize traffic in Mandaue, Nimor encouraged north- and south-bound vehicles to use the City’s national highway, or the M.C. Briones St.
For vehicles travelling from the airport to Cebu City, he advised them to take U.N. Ave., turn left to D.M. Cortes St. (formerly known as Plaridel St.), right to A. Soriano Ave. then straight to Ouano Ave.
Ferry operaton from Anton’s Wharf and Kasamahan Wharf in Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue and Cebu City have yet to start.