Fernan bridge, no entry for motorcycles, bicycles

Starting tonight bicycles and motorcycles won’t be allowed to pass through the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge as scraping of its asphalt overlay poses additional risk.

Bicycles and motorcycles could only pass on the old Mandaue-Mactan Bridge where the asphalt overlay was recently finished, said Edwin Ermac, chief of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team).

“Daghan na kaayo ang nadisgrasya nga motor kay tungod sa (asphalt) scraping  (Many motorcycle accidents happened because of asphalt scraping.),” Ermac said.

He said they were informed that the expansion joint during asphalt scraping will elevate a bit and the scraped asphalt will result in an uneven road.

Traffic signs informing  motorists of a no entry zone for bicycles and motorcycles will be provided by PLD Construction which was contracted to rehabilitate the two bridges.

Last March 9, motorcycle rider Ignacio Lamac, of barangay Carreta, Cebu City was declared dead on arrival at the Mandaue City Hospital after he sustained head injuries in an accident in the old Mandaue-Mactan bridge, which was undergoing repairs that time.

Ermac said the suggestion of a ‘no entry zone for motorcycle and bicycles’ came from PLD.

Six traffic enforcers from Team (Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue) will be deployed to man the traffic.

Ermac said the 10 p.m., to 6 a.m. repair work schedule would not affect traffic flow much.

Engr. Renault Ricardo, asst. district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) said the outer lane in the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge going to Mandaue City will first be rehabilitated tonight.

But Ricardo advised the motorist and commuters especially those going to the airport to leave hours before their scheduled flight. He said the scraped asphalt caused uneven road and may slow traffic.

Frank Brazil, head of the City Traffic Management System of Lapu-Lapu said there will be a towing truck on standby to remove stalled cars.

Both Brazil and Ermac said there will be no rerouting for the rehabilitation of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge. /Jucell Marie P. Cuyos, Reporter