P22 Billion Cebu-Cordova Bridge Project Of Duterte Gov’t To Start Construction Next Year

A consortium between a Spain-based and two Philippine-based construction firms will construct the multi-billion Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), which will connect Cebu City to Cordova.

The Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation issued the Notice of Award for the “design and build” contract of the 8.5-kilometer third bridge to Cebu Link Joint Venture (CLJV) last November 23.

CLJV is a joint venture of Spain-based Acciona Construccion S. A., and Philippine-based First Balfour Inc. and D. M. Consunji Inc., which will construct the CCLEX for an estimated P22.6 billion.

With the development, Secretary Adelino Sitoy, former Cordova vice mayor and now Presidential Legislative Liaison Office head, said actual construction of the project is expected to start by the first quarter of next year.

“It has a huge significance to Cordova, which was isolated before because one can’t come to Cordova without passing by Mandaue City and Lapu-lapu City. Now, if the bridge will be completed, they will really have to pass Cordova in going to their destinations,” he said.

Sitoy said the contractors assured to complete the project on or before its target completion date of December 31, 2020.

To complement the bridge, Cordova is also proposing more than P2 billion worth of road projects within its jurisdiction as well as the widening of other roads on Mactan Island.

Sitoy said they already secured initial funding amounting to P200 million for it through the Department of Public Works and Highways.

CCLEC, a subsidiary company of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), will finance, build, operate and maintain the bridge.

It entered into a joint venture agreement with the Cebu City Government and the Municipal Government of Cordova last year.

CCLEX is a toll bridge that is expected to ease traffic in Cebu and eventually spark economic growth and productivity not only in Cebu Province but also in Central Visayas.

In a statement, CCLEC President and General Manager Allan Alfon said they are confident that they can deliver a quality state-of-the-art bridge, which will help improve the overall welfare of the Cebuanos.

Ruben Camba of Acciona Construccion said they will deploy a team of experienced workers and experts in engineering for the bridge construction.

“We are delighted to be part of this landmark project. We have put together a very experienced team, and are looking forward to working closely together with the customer to deliver a new toll bridge that will benefit both local communities and the Philippines,” he said.

According to CCLEC, 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.

President Rodrigo Duterte led the groundbreaking of the project last March.

Source: SunStar Philippines