Marcelo Fernan Bridge repairs to start June 4

CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board yesterday approved the repair of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge starting June 4, 2012 and lasting up to 88 days.

Members of the MCBMB convened yesterday to evaluate the input of the technical working group created during their last meeting two weeks ago.

Major repairs the public works department planned for the Marcelo Fernan Bridge will be temporarily postponed as authorities are still finding ways to cushion its impact on motorists especially those going to the airport.

During their last meeting, MCBMB chairwoman Governor Gwendolyn Garcia objected to the proposal of the Department of Public Works and Highways to repair the expansion joints of the bridge starting May 2, and that one lane of the bridge will be closed to traffic for the repairs.

Garcia said a proper study was not conducted, such as a traffic count.

The input of the TWG was presented yesterday by DPWH Engr. Eda de Guzman that included the proper methodology to be used, addressing such points as the efficiency of repairs, impact on the commuting public and overall impact on the local economies of affected local government units.

The scope of works include the removal of existing damage of rubber expansion joints, installation of steel finger-type expansion joints, mobilization and demobilization, project safety and others.

De Guzman said there are six phases of works and each phase will take at least two weeks and require the closure of one lane at a time.

The bridge, an extra-dosed cable-stayed bridge with a total length of 1,237 meters and a center span of 185 meters, has four lanes, two for each direction.

The repair work which is divided into two packages will cost around P25 million to be undertaken by PLD Construction. (FREEMAN)