Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway
The bridge in September 2022
Coordinates10°16′54.044″N 123°54′15.624″E / 10.28167889°N 123.90434000°E / 10.28167889; 123.90434000
CrossesMactan Channel
LocaleMetro Cebu
Official nameCebu–Cordova Link Expressway
Other name(s)Cebu–Cordova Bridge
Third Cebu–Mactan Bridge
Third Bridge
Sto. Niño Bridge[1]
OwnerCebu–Cordova Link Expressway Corporation
Maintained byCebu–Cordova Link Expressway Corporation
Websitecclex.com.ph
Preceded byMandaue–Mactan Bridge
Characteristics
DesignCable-stayed bridge
Total length8.9 km (5.5 mi)
Width27 m (89 ft)
Height145 m (476 ft)
Traversable?Yes
Longest span390 m (1,280 ft)
Clearance below51 m (167 ft)
No. of lanes4
History
ArchitectDissing+Weitling Architecture – Conceptual Design
DesignerSENER Ingenieria y Sistemas & Carlos Fernandez Casado (SENER-CFC JV)
Engineering design bySENER Ingenieria y Sistemas & Carlos Fernandez Casado (SENER-CFC JV)
Constructed byCebu Link Joint Venture (Acciona-First Balfour-DMCI JV)
Construction cost₱33 billion
OpenedApril 30, 2022 (2022-04-30)
InauguratedApril 27, 2022 (2022-04-27)
Statistics
Daily trafficat least 40,000 (projected)
TollSee Toll
Location
References
[2][3][4]

The Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), also known as the Cebu–Cordova Bridge and the Third Cebu–Mactan Bridge (or simply, the Third Bridge), is an 8.9-kilometer (5.5 mi) toll bridge expressway in Metro Cebu, Philippines. The bridge connects the South Road Properties in Cebu City in mainland Cebu, and Cordova, on Mactan island. Crossing the Mactan Channel, it is the third road link between Cebu and Mactan islands, and the first between Cebu City and Cordova. It is the longest sea-crossing bridge in the Philippines, surpassing the 2-kilometer (1.2 mi) San Juanico Bridge between Samar and Leyte, as well as Marcelo Fernan Bridge (which also crosses the Mactan Channel) as the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Philippines. It also surpassed the 5-kilometer (3.1 mi) Candaba Viaduct of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) connecting the provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan for being the longest bridge in the Philippines overall upon its inauguration on April 27, 2022.

History

Planning

The bridge was first proposed by Cordova mayor Adelino Sitoy to connect his municipality and mainland Cebu in Cebu City. In 2014, an unsolicited proposal was put forth by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) to build a bridge linking Cebu City and Cordova, which was then under review by a joint venture selection committee between the two local government units. After numerous studies were conducted, the local government units of Cordova and Cebu City entered into a public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC).[5][6] The construction of the Cebu–Cordova bridge was lobbied by then chairman of the Regional Development Council of Region VII Michael Rama, who became Mayor of Cebu City when the Cebu–Cordova Bridge project was already awarded to a company.[7]

In January 2016, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) signed an agreement on February 7 a ₱19-billion loan and security bonds with six banks: Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Robinsons Bank Corporation, Union Bank of the Philippines, and Security Bank Corporation. CCLEC is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) will fund the rest of the project, through a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange and by equity or supplemental capital loans from other private and interested parties who want to invest in this project and be one of the stockholders of the said bridge.

MPTDC announced that the construction of the bridge was to commence in 2017. The company in the same announcement said that they will be responsible for the construction and financing of the bridge, as well as its operation once it is completed.[7]

Construction and opening

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cebu–Cordova Bridge was held on March 2, 2017. The expressway was the first venture of MPTDC in the Philippines outside of Luzon.[8]

In 2021, the bridge played a role in that year's Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.[9] As part of the commemorations, eight ecumenical "Iconic Crosses" were placed on the two main pylons of the bridge. The crosses were lighted on April 15, 2021.[10][11]

The final concrete pouring in the main bridge deck was held on October 5, 2021, effectively completing the main bridge deck.[12]

The bridge was inaugurated by then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on April 27, 2022, coinciding with the 501st anniversary of the Battle of Mactan.[13] It is the first expressway and toll road in the Philippines outside of Luzon.[14][15] It formally opened to motorists three days later, on April 30, 2022.[4]

Operation

CCLEX is managed by Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), a company of MVP Group of Companies.[6]

Design

Site before the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway was built.

The bridge spans 8.9 kilometers (5.5 mi) and is the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, surpassing the San Juanico Bridge, which crosses Leyte and Samar, and the Candaba Viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway. It was designed by the Spanish firms Carlos Fernandez Casado (CFC) and SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas, while the local firm DCCD Engineering Corporation and the Danish firm COWI are the owner's engineers. The bridge is built by a joint venture between Spanish firm Acciona, and Philippine firms First Balfour and DMCI. Connecting Cebu City and Cordova, the 27-meter-wide (89 ft) bridge is meant to serve an alternate route serving Mactan–Cebu International Airport, capable of serving at least 40,000 vehicles daily.[9]

Photo of the CCLEX bridge taken by Budots Media / Bart Sakwerda. Looking North West. March 2021
Photo of the bridge under construction in March 2021.

The 390-meter-long (1,280 ft) main span of the CCLEX is cable-stayed and are supported by 145-meter-high (476 ft) twin tower pylons. The design of the pylons were inspired from the historic Magellan's Cross Pavilion. The main span will have a 51-meter (167 ft)[2] navigation clearance, which allow ships to traverse the bridge. Viaduct approach bridges and a causeway will also form part of the CCLEX, as well as toll road facilities on an artificial island. The toll facilities' design are inspired from the eight-rayed sun of the Philippine flag.[9]

Toll

The bridge expressway uses a barrier toll system, where motorists pay a fixed toll rate based on vehicle class. The toll plaza is located on an artificial island after the main bridge, serving as the only toll collection point of the expressway. Since its opening, cash is used for toll collection. An electronic toll collection (ETC) system was implemented on July 2, 2022.[16]

The toll rates are as follows:

Class Amount[4]
Class 1M (Motorcycles with engine displacement from 110cc–399cc) ₱60.00
Class 1
(Cars, motorcycles 400cc and above, SUVs, jeepneys)		 ₱90.00
Class 1 above 7 feet (2.1 meters)
(vehicles with recreational equipment)		 ₱180.00
Class 2
(Buses, light trucks)		 ₱180.00
Class 3
(Heavy trucks and trailers)		 ₱270.00
Pedestrians and Bicycles
 ₱0

Extension

There are proposals for extensions of the expressway in a bid to increase traffic. In the Cebu City side of the bridge, there is a proposal for an approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) long ramp that would straddle along the Guadalupe River. If completed, the expansion will cost an estimated ₱1 billion and will provide a direct connection from Cebu City's central business districts to the CCLEX. The groundbreaking of the ramp was held on November 8, 2022, and works is set to start by 2024.[17][18]

In the Mactan side, the expressway terminates near the barangays of Pilipog and Ibabao (both in Cordova), intersects the Babag II Road of Barangay Babag (in Lapu-Lapu City). From here, an extension is proposed through Lapu-Lapu City and a possible direct connection to Mactan–Cebu International Airport. The planned extension will add 5 to 8 kilometers (3.1 to 5.0 mi) to the expressway, and is estimated to cost ₱10 billion to ₱15 billion.[19]

CCLEX is also eyed to be connected to the proposed Cebu–Bohol Bridge.[20]

References

  1. ↑ Belleza, Kier Edison C. (December 15, 2017). "Naming new bridge after Sto. Nino pushed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "About CCLEX - Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway". Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Cyclists allowed to cross third bridge for free". SunStar. September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021. CCLEX had an original length of 8.5 kilometers, but they decided to extend this up to 8.9 kilometers or an extension before the entry from Cordova to Cebu City.
  4. 1 2 3 Letigio, Delta (April 30, 2022). "CCLEX is now open to the public". Cebu Daily News. Metro Cebu: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Review on 3rd bridge almost done". SunStar Cebu. October 20, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Garcia, Mikee (April 12, 2022). "FACT CHECK | New Cebu bridge was built under Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' program is false". news.tv5.com.ph. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Baquero, Elias (January 6, 2016). "Cebu-Cordova Bridge to be built next year". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  8. ↑ Palaubsano, Mitchelle (March 3, 2017). "Rody leads groundbreaking of Cebu-Cordova bridge". The Philippine Star, Freeman. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. 1 2 3 "Cebu-Cordova Link". Dissing+Weitling Architecture. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  10. ↑ Letigio, Delta (March 12, 2021). "Iconic crosses in Third Bridge will be lighted on April 15". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  11. ↑ "8 crosses light up CCLEX". ph.news.yahoo.com. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  12. ↑ Rodriguez, Mia (October 27, 2021). "The Massive Cebu-Cordova Bridge Gears Up for a 2022 Opening". spot.ph. Retrieved October 28, 2021 – via msn.com.
  13. ↑ "Built for typhoons, the Philippines' longest and tallest bridge opens today". Global Construction Review. Metro Cebu. April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ "First expressway outside Luzon set for opening". CNN Philippines. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  15. ↑ Laurel, Drei (April 27, 2022). "The 8.9km-long CCLEX may have been inaugurated, but you can't use it just yet". Top Gear Philippines. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ "MPT Mobility launches DriveHub app for Cebu motorists". Back End News. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  17. ↑ Piad, Tyrone Jasper (September 19, 2022). "Metro Pacific eyes P1-B Cebu toll bridge expansion". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ Librea, Jerra Mae (November 26, 2023). "Work on Guadalupe ramp 'to start' in middle of 2024". SunStar Publishing Inc. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Mercurio, Richmond (November 17, 2021). "MPTC open to team up with other parties for CCLEX extension". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  20. ↑ Inso, Futch Anthony (September 12, 2022). "Plan to build P90B Cordova-Bohol bridge welcomed". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
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