Only Fernan bridge will be open Aug. 5

When Cebu hosts international triathlon Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships on August 5, the Marcelo Fernan Bridge will be left open to vehicle traffic, an official from the provincial government said.

Jonathan Tumulak, Capitol focal person for traffic management, still advised the riding public to leave early or postpone their plans if possible.

Those who have flights next Sunday are also advised to leave home at least two hours than their flight schedules.

Heavy traffic is expected at both ends of the bridge as it will be the only terrestrial link between Mactan Island and the mainland on that day. The Mandaue-Mactan Bridge will be closed from 5 a.m. to 12 noon that day.

The public is also urged to take the ferry from Cebu City’s Pier 3 to Lapu-Lapu City, and vice versa.

A total of eleven barangays will be affected by the eight-hour race in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

In Lapu-Lapu, the barangays are Mactan, Maribago, Soong, Agos, Marigondon, Basak, Gun-ob, and Pajo. In Mandaue, barangays to be affected are Centro, Looc, and Mantuyong.

The route for the Asia-Pacific Championships will cover the streets of ML Quezon Avenue, Mactan Circumferential Road, Maximo Patalinjug, and the first bridge. In Mandaue City, the race will cover AC Cortes, Plaridel, Ouano Avenue, and Zuellig Street.

Taking selfies or pictures on the open road, where the athletes will pass by, and outside the designated "safe zones" are highly discouraged for safety reasons, especially from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. that day.

Tumulak said that the professional athletes can bike at 40kph and avoiding the people who suddenly cross the road or stopping in the middle of the street may pose a problem.

The bikers will have to take three laps of this course to complete the 90-kilometer biking leg.

Meanwhile, the traffic managers will be implementing an “open-close system”. This means that if the athletes are still far from the area, vehicles can still pass through selected roads.

Pedestrian crosswalks will be also managed and provided, especially for those heading to churches.

A total of 800 to 1,000 traffic enforcers, tanods, and resort security personnel will help manage traffic on August 5. The volunteers will add up to this number. Should there be emergency cases, ambulances can use the streets used by the triathletes.