The construction of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway or CCLEX is now at 75 percent. This was reported during the project inspection conducted yesterday by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco.
Franco, who also conducted a management conference with the project team, said he is happy with the progress of the construction despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed appreciation for the continuing support and cooperation of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Cordova Municipality Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho as government partners of the CCLEX.
“The support of both the Cebu City Government and Cordova Municipal Government have been invaluable. We would not have been able to manage the impact of the pandemic on the construction timeline without them,” Franco said.
The 8.5-kilometer CCLEX, highlighted by its iconic crosses on top of the twin pylons of the 390m cable-stayed main bridge over the Mactan Channel, is MPTC’s first toll road project outside Luzon. The bridge design and its rising cables supporting two massive towers is fast emerging as a new regional landmark and a major subject on social media. Enthusiastic netizens continue to post drone videos of the massive project on YouTube and Twitter.
“The preparations for the electronic system are ongoing and we foresee that the CCLEX will have a cashless toll system to give the riding public a convenient and seamless travel by providing this kind of innovative solution,” Franco added.
For his part, Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) President and General Manager Allan G. Alfon said that since CCLEX is technology-driven, they are optimistic it can operate efficiently with an all-electronic toll system. He said this can save time for motorists and provide faster traffic flow.
“This is a new mobility experience we are preparing for our fellow Cebuanos,” he added.
The P30-billion CCLEX, which will be the third link to Mactan Island from Cordova Municipality to mainland Cebu through Cebu City’s South Road Properties, is targeted to be substantially completed by the end of 2021 and be open to motorists in the first quarter of 2022.
Works are now advancing at the main bridge. Its decks are inching closer with only 104 meters left until the 390-meter main span will be connected, while 41 out of the 56 stay cables are now in place.
Girder installations using the launching gantry and plank installations are also being done at the Cebu South Coastal Road on ramp and off ramp sections of the project.
The installation of girders at the Cebu viaduct, on the other hand, is already complete. Succeeding works are now on the installation of the planks for the carriageway.
At the Cordova viaduct, girder installation is well underway as well as the embankment works for the causeway. The four low-lying bridges that will serve as access of the Cordova fishermen to their fishing ground is also almost complete.
CCLEX has a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour (kph) and a navigational clearance or height of 51 meters so as to allow large vessels to pass underneath the bridge.
Not only is CCLEX seen to reduce traffic and make traveling more convenient but also spur trade activities and open greater economic opportunities for Cebu and the rest of the Visayas region.
CCLEX is a project of CCLEC, in partnership with the local government units of Cebu City and Municipality of Cordova.
CCLEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of MPTC, the toll road arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), a publicly listed infrastructure holding company and a member of the MVP Group of Companies.
MPTC owns or operates major expressways in the Philippines – namely the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and a number of expressways in Indonesia and Vietnam.
Aside from CCLEX, other ongoing MPTC toll road projects in the country are the 45-kilometer Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX), 7.8-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX)-C5 Southlink, and the 8-kilometer NLEX Connector Road.
MPTC is looking to finish by 2023 the P52.5 billion CALAX project and the P17.2 billion CAVITEX-C5 Southlink. The P19.6-billion NLEX Connector Road is eyed for completion next year.