Moderate traffic was experienced by motorists and commuters in Day 1 of the expansion joint repairs on the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
One lane for vehicles heading to Mandaue City was closed starting 10 a.m
Traffic was slower than usual but those traveling from mainland Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City suffered no inconvenience, said Lapu-Lapu traffic officials.
Frank Brazil of the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System (CTMS) said the outer lane of the four-lane Marcelo Fernan bridge from Lapu-Lapu to mainland Cebu was closed with barricades by contractors at 10 a.m.
“This would give way to the students and employees headed to Cebu considering that it’s the first day of classes,” he said.
A rerouting scheme was put in place by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and CTMS, said Brazil.
He said if the lane in the second bridge is busy then vehicles from Lapu-Lapu City’s northern side will be diverted to the first bridge.
Vehicles from the airport will be diverted to Matumbo road in case of congestion in Quezon Highway.
In case a vehicle bogs down or a traffic accident occurs, tow trucks are standing to pull them out.
Engr. Eda De Guzman of the DPWH said they hope to finish the first of the six-phase repairs in two weeks.
“About calendar 88 days is the maximum period taking into consideration the rainy weather,” said de Guzman.
Weather permitting and if no major accident occurs, de Guzman said they may even finish the repairs in 50 days.
Brazil reported that traffic slowed down dramatically while approaching peak hours in the afternoon.
Three minor traffic accidents occurred in the first bridge and M.L. Quezon Highway .
Mandaue City reported one minor traffic accident in the old bridge from 2 p.m to 5 p.m. yesterday.
Edwin Ermac, chief of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), said there will be a no- stopping rule enforced in U.N. Avenue to avoid congestion.
More traffic personnel will man the site and Plaridel street, A.C. Cortes Avenue.
Lucio Ejares, a messenger of a private firm frequenting Lapu-Lapu and mainland Cebu, confirmed that traffic slowed down for vehicles from Mandaue City at 4 p.m.
The Metro Ferry company at Muelle Osmeña wharf in Lapu-Lapu City said passenger turnout was normal for a Monday contrary to expectations of a higher passenger volume.
“In the next few days it may go up especially if commuters find it inconvenient to travel by sea,” said Fatima Ocab, ticket and passenger control officer of the ferry boat company in Muelle Osmeña wharf in Lapu-Lapu City .
Metro Ferry boats service opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m..
Adults are charged P14 for regular fare, P12.00 for students and senior citizens and P8.00 for children. Travel time for ferries usually last 20 minutes. /Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent with Correspondent Fe Marie Dumaboc
Posted on June 5, 2012
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