Fourth Cebu-Mactan Bridge Approved By NEDA For 2020

Blog | February 22, 2020

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) has approved the construction of the fourth bridge that will link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island. This bridge is expected to decongest traffic in Mandaue and Consolacion area and will be the main driver for the economic and social development in the Northern part of Cebu.

Details of the Project

In a report by Philippine Daily Inquirer last December 20, 2019 the economic team of President Rodrigo Duterte approved 12 projects worth around Php600 billion that will roll-out early next year. One of these 12 projects is the fourth bridge that will link mainland Cebu to Mactan island.

While the construction of the third bridge is expected to be completed by 2021, the fourth bridge is estimated to be completed in the year 2024. This bridge will traverse in the mainland Cebu via the Cansaga bridge in Mandaue City going towards Brgy. Ibo in Lapu-lapu City. A so-called Mandaue Coastal Road is going to be constructed that will complement this 420-meter bridge.

The masterplan is said to include that coastal road that will link several road networks that will eventually provide easy access for motorists going north. This will also give easy access to the new container port that will soon rise in the town of Liloan.

Traffic Going North Getting Worse

We all know that the traffic situation we have going north is very bad especially during rush hours. Heavy traffic is always encountered almost everyday in the area along North Road Jagobiao all the way to SM Consolacion. The same situation is experienced if you go to the north via Cansaga bridge.

Motorists coming from Mactan island going north are also suffering a lot in heavy traffic along the UN Avenue intersection. A tri-level pass was previously seen as the solution to the heavy traffic in this area. This tri-level pass will consists of a fly-over, underpass and the current road leve. However, with the on-going development on the Mandaue Coastal Road project and the fourth bridge, the fly-over pass was reportedly deferred.

Right now, there is an on-going construction along the UN Avenue intersection, I hope this is in preparation to the construction of the underpass.

Cebu's Improved Road Network

The fourth bridge, once completed will certainly help in easing the traffic in the northern part of Cebu. But this will only work if complemented with other road projects for the province. The Mandaue Coastal Road project and the tri-level pass in UN Avenue intersection are some of the projects that will complement the 4th bridge. Another one is the planned Metro Cebu Expressway that will traverse from Carcar City in the South to Danao City in the North.

Cebu's improved road network will certainly play a major role in fast tracking the economic growth of the province. It will also help a lot in improving the life of the thousands of Cebuanos. I hope these projects will be implemented as soon as possible and will not have the same fate with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) project.

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