All permits for 3rd bridge construction secured
Aside from identifying the contractor that will do the project, all permits needed for the construction of the 8.5-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) have already been secured.
During the ceremonial awarding of the P22.6billion Design and Build Contract yesterday, CebuCordova Link Expressway Corp (CCLEC) President Allan Alfon said they have secured permits like the Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, clearance by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Cebu Ports Authority for the main structure vertical clearance of the project.
Other secured permits are "no objection" statement from the Department of Public Works and Highways to the project including the connection of the Toll Facility to existing roads under its jurisdiction, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines – Mactan for the high clearance, among others.
“CCLEC will oversee the design, construction and later on operating, maintaining and managing of the bridge in the next 35 years. After the 35th year, it will be turned over to the local government units,” Alfon said.
Under the agreement, the sharing of revenue is based on the legal framework that both local government units of Cebu City and Municipality of Cordova will be both shareholders of the project. Both LGUs can get one percent each of the gross income of the facility.
Yesterday, CCLEC with the officials from Cebu City and Cordova awarded the contract to Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV), a joint venture of Spain-based Acciona Construccion S. A., and Philippine-based First Balfour Inc. and D. M. Consunji Inc.
Before the construction would commence by the second quarter of 2018, the CLJV will have to conduct a detailed engineering design for additional specifications on the design of the bridge starting January.
The project is expected to be completed in 2021.
Ruben Camba, an authorized representative of CLJV, assured that there will be no major changes to the design of the bridge as what was earlier presented to the public.
“During the first half of the year, what we are going to do is in the design. It will be followed by the current works on site, which are the foundation of the bridge in the second quarter,” he said.
The bridge will have two lanes in each direction and will feature the main navigation span bridge, along with viaduct approach bridges, a causeway, roadway and toll facilities.
The span of the bridge allows for shipping traffic and the link is expected to serve at least 40,000 vehicles daily.
Secretary Adelino Sitoy, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head, said he will propose that the bridge will be named “Santo Niño.”
“I would dedicate it to Santo Niño so that during the Sinulog, we in Cordova can participate coz as of now, we are left out,” he said, adding that Cebuanos are identified with Sr. Santo Niño.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. President Rodrigo Franco said the toll fee is P89 for cars and private vehicles but will have separate amount for trucks, adding that there will be no escalation of rates once the bridge will be operational in 2021.
Franco also assured that there will be no cutting of mangroves to the side of Cordova especially during the construction.
Sitoy said if there will be mangroves that will be affected, there will be replanting or possible transfer of the mangroves.
There will be no demolition from the side of the Cebu City government, too, said Alfon.
He said it has been agreed that the ramp going to the riverbank of the Guadalupe River where illegal settlers are living will be deleted in the design.
The project, Alfon said, will give Cordova direct access to Cebu City and is envisioned to decongest the traffic in the two existing bridges between Mactan and Cebu.
Officials of CCLEC and CLJV assured that the project will generate jobs for Cebuanos especially during the construction and operation of the project.
Alfon ensured the local government units and residents of Cebu that it will be a “world-class” project that everyone will be proud of.
In response, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese SitoyCho said the project is very beneficial to the town.
“Not only for the development but also for employment of people especially during the construction. That’s why we have our ongoing skills training,” she said.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, said there are all kinds of benefits out of the project.
One is the transportation from the south of Cebu to the northern part, he said.
Osmeña said the bridge will give easy access to the airport without worrying to be stuck in traffic in the existing two bridges.
“It will also reduce the traffic in Cebu City aside from the fact that it improves the marketability of South Road Properties,” he said.