Marcelo Fernan Bridge repair to start Monday

CEBU, Philippines - The Marcelo Fernan Bridge will be closed for repair starting tomorrow.

Department of Public Works and Highways-7 spokesperson Marie Mignon Nillama said the repair will last until August 30.

Nillama said they will be repairing 16 of the 18 expansion joints of the bridge 24/7.

“We hope to finish the repair much earlier,” Nillama said.

DPWH has released an advisory on specific work schedules beginning June 4 until August 30. The work schedules are as follows:

• Phase 1 - June 4 to June 17: Right lane from Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City (beside the sidewalk)

• Phase 2 - June 18 to July 1: Inner Lane from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue (beside Center Island)

• Phase 3 - July 2 to July 19: Right Lane from Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu (beside sidewalk)

• Phase 4 - July 20 to August 2: Left Lane from Mandaue to Lapu-Lapu (beside center island)

• Phase 5 - August 3 to August 16: Right Lane at viaduct Lapu-Lapu side

• Phase 6 - August 17 to August 30: Left Lane at viaduct Lapu-Lapu side.

The necessary traffic advisory will be made by the DPWH-7 to guide the motorists.

The closure of the 1,237 meters (4058.40 feet) long bridge with a center span of 185 meters (606.96 feet) is expected to result in traffic congestion especially that on Monday is already the opening of classes for public schools.

The Marcelo Fernan Bridge is one of the widest and longest bridge spans in the Philippines and one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the world. It was inaugurated by then President Joseph Estrada on August 3, 1999.

This P2.3 billion mega-structure was constructed by the Kajima-Sumimoto Joint Venture and was funded through a loan obtained by the Philippine Government from the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund of Japan.

The gigantic infrastructure was built in order to decongest the traffic problem from Mandaue City to Lapulapu City and serves as a symbol of friendship between the Philippines and Japan. (FREEMAN)