Third Bridge Spanning The Mactan Channel

​As Metro Cebu continues to develop, more companies have started to relocate to the island. This resulted to the creation of jobs for the residents and people from neighboring islands. It has also benefited small businesses as they try to provide for the needs of the employees of these multinational companies.

Cebu Provincial Capitol – image source: courtesy of Peter Parcon

​But this development also has its negative effect. The burgeoning population in the metro has brought about an issue on traffic. This is particularly true to the two bridges connecting mainland Cebu and Mactan Island. While the islands are already connected through two bridges, it appears that they cannot handle the volume of traffic passing through them. 

Third Bridge – image source: update.ph

Third Bridge

To deal with this issue, two local government units in Cebu, together with the private sector, are planning to build another bridge spanning the Mactan Channel. The government recently broke ground for the third bridge with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in attendance. The formal groundbreaking for the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway was held on March 2, 2017. 

Groundbreaking – image source: philstar.com

​The president said the Philippines may become “a nation of bridges” in the years to come. He added that he is happy that Cebu is developing like Manila since his father comes from the province. The new bridge is expected to change the demography and topography of Cebu, said the president.

Groundbreaking – image source: sunstar.com.ph

The 8.25-kilometer project connecting Cebu with Cordova is composed of the Main Bridge, a Causeway, Viaduct and Toll Plaza. Construction will start in the middle of 2017 and the bridge is expected to be completed by 2020.

Public Private Partnership

The project is a public private partnership between the local governments of Cebu and Cordova with the support of the national government and the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp or MPTDC. Aside from easing traffic congestion in Metro Cebu, the project is also expected to create more job opportunities, enhance economic development and boost tourism, according to Mayor Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City.

Metro Cebu – image source: en.wikipedia.org

The PHP28 billion project will also herald a road network in Cebu City. The Main Bridge will connect Shell Island in Cordova to the mouth of the Guadalupe River in Cebu City. It is not expected to become an obstruction to ships passing through the Mactan Channel and will be longer than the first Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

Toll

MPTDC President Rodrigo Franco said a toll fee will be collected from motorists passing through the bridge. The toll fee will be based on the cost of the entire project. Initial proposals for the toll fee are between PHP82 and PHP89 for each vehicle. The bridge will also feature separate lanes for bicycles and motorcycles as well as provisions for pedestrians. 

​The plan for the third bridge spanning the Mactan Channel is good news for people who live or work in Mactan Island. Aside from easing traffic between the two islands, it will also pave the way for more jobs in Metro Cebu.