4th Cebu-Mactan bridge in the pipeline – Villar


CEBU CITY – The Cordova-Cebu Link Expressway (CCLEX) has yet to be completed but Cebuanos have another major infrastructure project to look forward to.

Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar revealed that the fourth Cebu-Mactan bridge may ground break before the term of President Duterte ends.

Talks between the government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are in progress, said Villar.

“There is a coastal highway in the plans that we are making and it (planning) may be finished soon because it was done using a full grant from China,” Villar told reporters after he inspected the construction of the CCLEX Friday, July 16.

The project cost will be determined once the feasibility study is completed, said Villar. It was reported that the project would cost P76 billion.

Villar said he was aware of the issues surrounding the planned construction of the bridge such as Lapu-Lapu City’s refusal to approve the project unless it will be realigned to land at M.L. Quezon National Highway instead of at the Lapu-Lapu Airport Road.

“We are aware of the concerns and that is normal. That is part of our job to address those concerns. We are doing some dialogs and coordination,” Villar said.

Villar said the proposed fourth Mactan-Cebu bridge is part of the government’s aggressive implementation of the “Build, Build, Build” program.

With the CCLEX 80 percent complete, Villar said the Build, Build, Build program is very much alive especially in Cebu.