CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City traffic managers wanted the repair of the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge to go on as planned because delaying the repair would only worsen the traffic problem.
Florentino Nimor, city planning and development coordinator of Mandaue, said that public safety should be the top priority.
“The same stand, if the purpose is public safety there is no compromise. Priority gyud na siya. Once magdungan na hinuon ang projects, dakong problema. Might as well we give a go signal sa bridge (repair),” Nimor said.
The Lapu-Lapu City government wants to defer the bridge repair because of the numerous events that Cebu is hosting next year and the expected influx of shoppers during the Christmas holidays.
Nimor said that even if they want to continue with the bridge repair, they could not do so without the support of their neighboring city.
“It requires the two cities to agree… Pero di ta kapugong kung mao na ilang decision didto,” he said.
Nimor did not say if they would talk to their counterparts in Lapu-Lapu soon. He instead told the members of the media that they will just wait for the Department of Public Works and Highways to decide on the matter.
Meanwhile, Nimor said that they have already prepared a standby plan to address the traffic congestion as soon as the ongoing repair of Plaridel Street will be affected by the bridge repair.
He said that once the bridge repair starts, vehicular traffic there becomes one way.
The proposal was to only allow vehicles from Lapu-Lapu to pass in the morning and those coming from the mainland at night, thereby creating a bottleneck on the streets below the bridge.
With most vehicles coming from Cebu City have to pass through Plaridel Street in going to Lapu-Lapu, this part of Mandaue is expected to become more congested.
However, Nimor said they will implement a detour for other vehicles, “most likely sa City Core” or at a private road of the Ouanos which was donated to the city.
He said this road will be used by vehicles coming from Mandaue City Hospital, passing by the Land Transportation Office, and at the Ouano Wharf and exit to Natures Spring before going to first bridge.
He said the DPWH and the contractor have reportedly promised to help in clearing this private road for public use.
Nimor said Mandaue is “ready” for the implementation of the bridge repair. (FREEMAN)