3rd bridge construction work to start in June or July – exec

An artist’s rendition of the Cebu-Cordova Link Exchange project shows how the P22.5 billion bridge project will look like when it is completed in 2021. CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

P22.5B project targeted to be done in 2021when Cebu marks 500th birth of Christianity

When the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is completed and opened in 2021, it will feature lights that will form a cross at night.

The third bridge connecting mainland Cebu to Mactan Island is seen to become an icon of Christianity with plans to even name it as the Sto. Niño Bridge, said Allan Alfon, president and general manager of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC), the private proponent of the project.

2021 Q1 opening

In fact, the opening of the CCLEX is targeted to be done by the first quarter of 2021, the same time when the world will be celebrating the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and consequently the birth of Christianity in the Philippines.

“We want to be part of this celebration. There are even talks that the king of Spain and hopefully the Pope will be in the country to join the celebration.

Hopefully, they can make a side trip to the ribbon cutting of CCLEX,” Alfon said in a presentation yesterday.

Bridge updates

Alfon presented updates on the project during the first quarter meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 yesterday at Elizabeth Hotel.

Alfon said CCLEC has been keeping updated on the activities in 2021 where Cebu is expected to be the center of celebrations in Southeast Asia.

The P22.5 billion contract for the CCLEX has been awarded to the Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV), a consortium of Spain-based Acciona Construccion SA, and Philippine-based First Balfour Inc., and D.M. Consunji Inc.

Detailed eng’g works

Alfon said the CLJV is currently finalizing the detailed engineering design for the project which is expected to be finished by May or June this year so that actual construction can commence by June or July immediately.

All government permits and clearances have been secured for the project except for a navigational clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) which they are now working on.

Road-right-of-way

In terms of road right of way (ROW) acquisition, Alfon said they have already finished the parcellary survey for the project and have identified seven lots and 21 improvements to be affected by the project on the Cordova side.

No properties will be affected on the Cebu City side of the bridge which will start at the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) in the South Road Properties (SRP).

“We are already talking to the owners of the affected properties and documentation of the affected lots is ongoing. We will be making formal offers to purchase the lots,” he explained.

8.25 km length, 4 lanes

The total length of the CCLEX will be 8.25 kilometers although the actual cable-stayed bridge will only be 390 meters long and will be 51 meters from sea level.

The CCLEX will start with a viaduct on the Cebu City side then the cable-stayed bridge, another viaduct leading to the toll plaza. After which, it will connect to a causeway leading to Barangay Pilipog in Cordova town.

The bridge will have four lanes, two lanes in each direction. At the same time, Alfon said that based on initial designs, there will be 1.7-meter wide lanes on each side of the bridge which can either be established as designated lanes for bicycles and joggers, or for pedestrians.

These extra lanes will be separated by a 1.1-meter wide concrete wall from that of the actual roads on the bridge.

Some members of the IDC welcomed this design saying it is also important to provide access to other modes of transportation aside from motor vehicles.

Speed limit, toll fee

Initially, the CCLEC plans to implement a speed limit of between 80 to 90 kilometers per hour on the bridge. Alfon also assured that there will be equipment like a towing truck on standby to respond to any vehicular mishaps on the bridge to prevent traffic congestion.

A toll fee of P89 will be collected for class 1 vehicles or cars and private vehicles, which is reflective of inflation costs by 2021.

The toll fee will double and triple for bigger and heavier vehicles.

The CCLEC will be operating the CCLEX for 35 years. After which, the facility will be turned over to the local government units of Cebu City and Cordova.