Construction of third bridge to start in July

CEBU, Philippines - The proponent of the 8.25-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Bridge Project, which will break ground tomorrow, targets to start construction by July this year.

This was disclosed by Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. in a briefing the company gave Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday morning.

Arlette Capistrano, MPTDC’s assistant vice president of corporate communication and marketing, said they are now securing the needed permits and clearances from different national government agencies.

“We are very hopeful that all these permits are going to be secured on time so that we can build on time and deliver the bridge on time,” she told reporters after the briefing with the mayor.

MPTDC will have to secure the following, among others:

1)Clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Cebu Ports Authority for the vertical clearance of the bridge’s main structure

2)Approval from the Toll Regulatory Board of the terms and conditions of the concession agreement

3)Approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority of the embankments required for the viaduct and causeway, considering some incidental reclamations

4)A "no objection" statement from the Department of Public Works and Highways on the project, including the connection of the Toll Facility to existing roads under its jurisdiction

5)Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Capistrano said company is hoping to secure the permits by May.

The bridge, which is worth P27 billion, is projected to be completed in 2020 if construction will start this year.

Yesterday, Osmeña reiterated his intention not to build the second ramp at the Guadalupe River because it would affect residents in Barangays Pasil, Ermita and Suba.

“My rule is no demolition,” he said during the briefing.

Because of this, only one ramp will be constructed near the viaduct at the SRP for the project in the part of the Cebu City.

During tomorrow’s groundbreaking, Osmeña will deliver a speech during the program at Dapitan Area in Barangay Pilipog, Cordova.

Capistrano said that before the program will start, President Rodrigo Duterte and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head Adelino Sitoy will inspect the bridge “route” on board a helicopter.

Capistrano said markers in the form of boat stations will be placed at both Cordova and Cebu City where the two ends of the bridge are expected to land. In Cebu City, the bridge will land at the South Road Properties.

During the program, Sitoy and Osmeña will deliver speeches as proponents of the project while businessman Manuel Pangilinan will deliver a separate speech as representative of the private sector.

Capistrano said the president is also expected to deliver his speech.

Capistrano said an audio-video presentation will present the technicalities and features of the project, as well as the benefits that Cordova and Cebu City will get from it. (FREEMAN)