Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway

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 that links Cebu City and Cordova, Cebu. 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 bridge in the Philippines, surpassing the 5-kilometer (3.1 mi) Candaba Viaduct of North Luzon Expressway and the 2-kilometer (1.2 mi) San Juanico Bridge between Samar and Leyte. It also surpasses the Marcelo Fernan Bridge (which also crosses the Mactan Channel) as the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Philippines.

"CCLEX" redirects here. Not to be confused with CLLEX.

Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway
The bridge under construction in October 2021
Coordinates10°16′54.044″N 123°54′15.624″E
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)
Toll₱90-270
Location
References
[2][3][4]

History

Planning

The bridge was first proposed by Cordova mayor Adelino Sitoy, to connect his municipality and mainland Cebu in Cebu City. The proposal by Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) to build a bridge linking Cebu City and Cordova in 2014, which was then under review by a joint venture selection committee between the two local government units. numerous studies conducted, the local government units of Cordova and Cebu City entered into a public-private partnership with Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC).[5] 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.[6]

In January 2016, the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC), through a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, 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 its completed.[6]

Construction and opening

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cebu–Cordova Bridge was held on March 2, 2017. The expressway was the first venture of the MPTDC outside of Luzon.[7]

In 2021, the bridge played a role in that year's Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.[8] 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.[9][10]

The final concrete pouring in the main bridge deck was held on October 5, 2021, effectively completing the main bridge deck.[11]

The bridge was inaugurated by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 27, 2022, coinciding with the 501st anniversary of the Battle of Mactan.[12] It is the first expressway to be opened outside of Luzon.[13][14] 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).[2]

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 being 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, serving at least 40,000 vehicles daily.[8]

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.[8]

Toll

The bridge expressway charges a flat toll based on vehicle class. It employs the use of electronic toll collection (ETC). The toll rates are as follows:

Class Amount[4]
Class 1
(Cars, motorcycles, SUVs, jeepneys)		 ₱90.00
Class 1 above 7 feet (2.1 m)
(vehicles with recreational equipment)		 ₱180.00
Class 2
(Buses, light trucks)		 ₱180.00
Class 3
(Heavy trucks and trailers)		 ₱270.00

Extension

The expressway is planned to be extended to Lapu-Lapu City and have a 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.[15]

References
  1. Belleza, Kier Edison C. (December 15, 2017). "Naming new bridge after Sto. Nino pushed". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  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. 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. Baquero, Elias (January 6, 2016). "Cebu-Cordova Bridge to be built next year". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  7. Palaubsano, Mitchelle (March 3, 2017). "Rody leads groundbreaking of Cebu-Cordova bridge". The Philippine Star, Freeman. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. "Cebu-Cordova Link". Dissing+Weitling Architecture. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  9. Letigio, Delta (March 12, 2021). "Iconic crosses in Third Bridge will be lighted on April 15". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved March 18, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. "8 crosses light up CCLEX". ph.news.yahoo.com. April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  11. 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.
  12. "Built for typhoons, the Philippines' longest and tallest bridge opens today". Global Construction Review. Metro Cebu. April 27, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  13. "First expressway outside Luzon set for opening". CNN Philippines. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  14. 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.
  15. Mercurio, Richmond (November 17, 2021). "MPTC open to team up with other parties for CCLEX extension". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
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