CEBU CITY – The completion of the 8.5-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) project is nearing its homestretch.
Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) general manager Allan Alfon said that overall engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) progress of CCLEX is at 72.73 percent as of March 2021.
This as they completed the construction and installation of all eight 40-meter-tall crosses, including its light fixtures on top of the two CCLEX pylons in the Mactan Channel.
“Once all punch list items are checked, we target to open CCLEX to our stakeholders or valued users by mid to late February 2022,” Alfon said in a phone interview with Manila Bulletin.
The P30-billion CCLEX is a toll bridge expressway that will link mainland Cebu through the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City to Mactan island through the Municipality of Cordova.
The CCLEX is designed to have two lanes in each direction with an estimated 50,000 vehicles daily easing the traffic at the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge. The bridge has a design speed of 80KPH with a navigational height of 51 meters to allow large vessels to pass underneath the bridge, CCLEC bared.
“It will not only decongest traffic in the two existing bridges but also provides enormous activities that benefit not just Cebu’s economy but the entire Central Visayas region as well,” Alfon said.
CCLEC said that the construction of the 200-meter permanent pedestrian footbridge is already completed with the installation of the six prefabricated walkways.
The footbridge starts near the U-turn slot of the South Road Properties’ welcome tower and will serve as pedestrian’s access to the sidewalk of the CSCR on ramp. Sidewalks are provided in the entire stretch of CCLEX.
Alfon added that the public was given a first glimpse of the eight huge crosses that adorn the bridge that were blessed and lighted last April 15 as part of the 500 Years of Christianity celebrations in the Philippines.
These crosses were artistically designed taking inspiration from the cross planted by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago and is a proper tribute to Cebu being the cradle of Christianity.