DPWH to check Butuanon Bridge’s structural condition

Local

EVERY time the traffic light turns red at Butuanon Bridge, cars line up and wait — and that stillness is exactly what worries engineers.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will inspect the Butuanon Bridge in Mandaue City after the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) Cebu Chapter raised concerns about the safety of vehicles stopping on it during red lights.

PICE issued the recommendation in a letter to the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), following a board meeting where a citizen asked whether it is safe for motorists, particularly those heading south toward Cebu City, to idle on the bridge while waiting for the signal.

The engineers explained that while the bridge is designed to handle moving traffic, frequent stoppages subject the structure to stationary or “dead” loads that may compromise its strength over time.

“The bridge is primarily designed to support moving loads, and while it can occasionally tolerate stopped vehicles in exceptional circumstances, the current frequency and duration of such stoppages subjects the Butuanon Bridge to excessive stationary (dead) loads,” PICE noted.

They urged TEAM to review the situation and make adjustments if needed to protect the bridge’s long-term performance.

The Butuanon Bridge, which spans the river of the same name near the junction of U.N. Avenue and M.C. Briones Street in front of Pacific Mall, carries thousands of vehicles every day.

The issue specifically affects southbound traffic bound for Cebu City and the left-turn lane toward U.N. Avenue.

TEAM head Hyll Retuya confirmed that the concern was discussed during a recent traffic board meeting with DPWH representatives.

He said the department committed to conduct an inspection and release a report on the bridge’s current condition.

“In fact, during the board meeting, a DPWH representative was present, and I was under the impression that an inspection would follow,” said Retuya.

“That issue was among the topics raised. They committed to check the bridge and provide a report on its structural condition,” he added.

Retuya said vehicles typically stop on the bridge for around 35 seconds during each signal cycle.

He noted that PICE’s main concern lies in the recurring buildup of cars on the span, particularly during rush hour.

TEAM has started evaluating possible measures but faces practical challenges in implementing immediate changes.

Retuya raised concern that if the stop line were moved backward to prevent vehicles from halting on the bridge during peak hours, the traffic queue could extend beyond the intersection and further worsen congestion.

He noted that while TEAM was taking the engineers’ recommendation seriously, the agency also needed to balance public safety with traffic efficiency.

He said TEAM was willing to follow the necessary actions once the technical inspection was completed, but also appealed for concerned agencies to expedite the assessment, especially since the matter had already been discussed with the mayor.

The agency, he added, was continuing to study various traffic flow scenarios while awaiting DPWH’s official findings.

As of now, DPWH has yet to release its official results, but TEAM hopes to receive them soon.

Retuya stressed that the agency was coordinating closely with DPWH and would act accordingly once the recommendation was given.(Kaiser Jan Fuentes)