Mandaue pushes bridge repair; Lapu-Lapu wants it postponed

The first Mandaue-Mactan bridge is up for repairs, but the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu couldn’t agree on the schedule.

IF postponed, the planned repairs on the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge may have to be undertaken simultaneously with the upgrading of A. Soriano Ave. in Mandaue City.

This would cause a major traffic problem in both Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu cities, Mandaue City Planning and Development Office head Florentino Nimor, Jr. warned yesterday.

“Once magdungan noon ang bridge og diri (A Soriano) dako problema for both cities gihapon kay moagi man sad sila dira (Once we undertake the bridge repairs and A. Soriano upgrading simultaneously, both cities will have a big problem because motorists from Lapu-Lapu will still have to pass through A. Soriano),” he said.

Architect Nimor raised this scenario after Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she wanted the bridge repairs postponed to late January, or after the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

Nimor said Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes had given the go-signal for the repair of the bridge because the upgrading of A. Soriano, which was supposed to start last month, was postponed.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 has yet to set a schedule for the bridge repairs, estimated to cost P129.6 million.

“Kun dili parehas og schedule dili gyud na masugdan (If we don’t agree on the schedule, that project will never be implemented),” Nimor said.

He said they have already prepared a traffic scheme and an alternative route to cope with the expected traffic jam as a result of the closure of one lane to pave for the repairs.

“Now naa mi gipangitaan nga dalan. Actually luyo sa Ouano. Gi-donate na nga dalan sa Ouano properties. Ari na agi sa luyo sa Mandaue City Hospital then to LTO. Pass by sa Ouano wharf and then gawas sa Nature’s Spring before joining the first bridge. Mao na siya among giandam,” he said.

(Vehicles will be asked to detour to the back of the Mandaue City Hospital, then to LTO, Ouano Wharf and emerge near Nature’s Spring, before proceeding to the first bridge.)

Nimor said the DPWH 7 has also offered to clear Plaridel Street to help decongest traffic.

“Naay mga structures gubaonon (Some structures have to be taken down) like fence, portion sa building so DPWH will bring their heavy equipment to help clear the areas,” he said.