DPWH, Jica making progress on fourth Mactan-Cebu bridge

Among the projects identified to improve transportation and traffic in Cebu, the proposed construction of the Mandaue-LapuLapu link with a coastal road may be implemented first.

In an interview yesterday, Engr. Lynn Madrona said the feasibility study for the project is already being conducted. She serves as vice chair of the subcommittee on transport and traffic management of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

Work on a third bridge, which will connect Cebu City and Cordova, recently started, which makes this proposal the fourth bridge between mainland Cebu and Mactan Island.

“Hopefully, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will see where we are going for Metro Cebu in terms of public transport. The study for the fourth bridge is there already,” she said.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has a study for the fourth bridge while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has a study for the coastal road component.

Jica and DPWH will just have to agree on the alignment,” Madrona said.

The fourth bridge is also among the five priority projects endorsed last month by the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Central Visayas.

Other endorsed projects include the Metro Cebu Circumferential Road (Metro Cebu Ring Road), Urban Mass Rapid Transit (UMRT) Coastal Line, UMRT Central Line, and Area Traffic Control System.

The next step, Madrona said, will be to arrange for funding support.