Building a third bridge connecting Cebu City to Mactan Island will relieve traffic congestion but Rep. Tomas Osmeña said it won’t be feasible because it would result in the destruction of some landmarks including Cebu City Hall.
He said a third bridge would need space for its approaches, entailing large cost for road right of way.
A third “access” between Cebu mainland and Mactan is being pushed by the Regional Development Council (RDC-7) including a proposal for an undersea tunnel in a bill filed by former Rep. Raul del Mar.
It was also cited as a top priority by several candidates in the May 13 election — Rep. Eduardo Gullas who is running for Talisay mayor, Cordova mayor Adelino Sitoy who is seeking reelection and reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.
The Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC) said its urban planners have found a way to design a bridge to cross the Mactan channel with less disturbance to landmarks starting near V. Rama Avenue and the South Road Properties (SRP) to Shell Island and then to Cordova town.
Marc Canton, MLC lead convenor, said a third bridge is a “bold project” and “one of the most strategic solutions to traffic congestion” during the 888 News Forum.
He said architect Joseph “Yumi” Espina, dean of the College of Architecture of the University of San Carlos, has made initial studies of the bridge and that MLC was willing to extend technical assistance for the project.
Cordova Mayor Sitoy announced his own plan for a third bridge during the 3rd round of the Mega Cebu Candidates’ Forum last April 25.
“Let’s have a plan. Let’s have pros and cons and discuss it so that the experts will have the decision on which is the best solution,” Canton said.
He said the bridge would increase economic activity and benefit informal settlers because of slum areas opened up to better access.
But Osmeña said building a bridge near City Hall that will cross to Shell Island in Cordova town could result to the demolition of structures like the Malacañang sa Sugbu, Plaza Independencia, Magellan’s Cross and even Cebu City Hall.
He said the first Mandaue Mactan Bridge was built with a six percent slope while the Marcelo Fernan Bridge was built with a four percent slope.
The Fernan bridge was designed 50 percent longer than the old bridge because of its reduced slope. The third bridge, he said, would also be built higher that the two other bridges to allow big vessels to pass underneath.
Osmeña said an option was to relocate the ports of Cebu to give way for a new bridge in the area.
He said if a third bridge is built, its approaches could even reach downtown Cebu City.
But Canton said the MLC’s design for a third bridge would not disrupt landmarks.
The MLC convenor said it would allow vehicles from Talisay City and other southern towns to pass through part of the SRP in Cebu City to Shell Island in Cordova town on their way to the Mactan Cebu International Airport and parts of Mactan Island. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac