Bridge repairs delayed due to rains but still on target

Both lanes at the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge will remain open during day and one lane will be closed at night while repairs are ongoing. (CDN File Photo)

Repairs on the old Mandaue-Mactan Bridge were suspended following two days of heavy rains, the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 7) said yesterday.

“We are trying to finish the asphalting works before the opening of classes on Monday but we were unable to work on the asphalting for the last two nights because of the rains,” DPWH 7 director Ador Canlas said.

Canlas said there were 250 meters in the bridge left that needed waterproofing.

He said they were only allowed to work on the top part of the bridge from 9 p.m to 6 a.m to avoid disrupting the traffic flow at the bridge during day time.

“Something like 250 meters more of waterproofing so we’re trying to finish that in a week and then the asphalting. If we will just be given two nights of no rain, then we can do it”, Canlas said.

DPWH is targeting to finish the bridge repairs before the end of August.

Canlas said the asphalting and waterproofing is the last phase of work on the bridge.

He said they were still working 24/7 on the carbon fiber retrofitting under the bridge.

Though positive that they can meet the August target date for repairs completion, Canlas said another problem they are expecting is the U-turn slot below the bridge on the Mandaue City side due to the presence of informal settlers there.

When classes open, Canlas said the same traffic scheme will be observed. Two lanes will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. while one lane will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the repairs.

Frank Brazil, chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management Systems (CTMS), said more traffic personnel will be detailed for next Monday’s opening of classes.

Traffic personnel will also be assigned to some schools to monitor the traffic flow.

He said they will issue traffic advisories to school officials so they can advise the parents and their schoolchildren and secure their cooperation in easing the expected traffic congestion especially if the parents drive their own vehicles.

Brazil advised motorists to leave their houses early to avoid the rush hour traffic.

In Mandaue City, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) chief Florentino Nimor said he will meet with 240 traffic enforcers ahead of the school opening.

Based on their assessment, Canlas said traffic flow at the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge is normal as of the moment.

Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) general manager Edmund Tan said the proposal to have ferries transport passengers from mainland Cebu to a private wharf in Mactan was temporarily shelved.

Tan said the proponents wanted the facilities in place first before any ferry operation starts.