Crossing the Colossus: Conquering Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX)

It's surprising how mundane moments can unexpectedly turn into small achievements. Just like how, on a random Sunday morning, you and your roommates decided to go for a jog, but you ended up conquering the longest and tallest bridge in the country.

If you're not from Cebu, you might not know that they have constructed a new bridge linking Cebu City with Cordova and Lapu-Lapu, called the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway or CCLEX. Since its construction and opening, it has attracted a lot of attention as it is now considered the longest and tallest bridge in the country, surpassing the well-known San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte.

As you cross this bridge, you'll be greeted by a magnificent view of the city that will surely mesmerize you. It’s no wonder that it has quickly become a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts, including bikers, runners, and the like. With more and more people successfully crossing the bridge on foot, we too became curious to try it out.

On this random day, I was joined by my two roommates, Lourence and Erika. We kind of underestimated our time and ended up starting late. The footbridge opens to the public at 5 a.m., but we started around 6 a.m. If you're starting from Cebu City like we did, a safe meetup location is at SM Seaside. If you decide to go alone or don't know the way, you can tag along with or follow other fellow runners to get to the footbridge.

I'm not really good at giving directions, but here's how you can get to the footbridge. From the Cube Wing at SM Seaside, you'll need to cross the road, as the footbridge is on the opposite side. Please be very careful when crossing, as there isn’t a designated pedestrian lane that I know of, and cars on this highway usually drive fast. After crossing, it’s just a few minutes' walk from SM to the entrance of the footbridge. When you arrive at the entrance, security will ask you to log your details, and that’s where our adventure begins!

The footbridge is a one-way walk. Unless it’s an emergency, you have no choice but to finish it to the end. There will be security posted at various points on the bridge, so you’ll feel safe while walking or running. It’s a bit narrow, but everyone is very friendly and polite, so it’s not really a problem, even with bikers passing through. Speaking of security, they don’t allow you to stay in the same spot for too long to prevent congestion and to quickly respond in case someone attempts to jump from the bridge.

As we crossed the bridge, we took our time and enjoyed some great conversations. Lourence and I had a lot of catching up to do since we hadn't seen each other for a while. We also took the opportunity to get to know our new roommate, Erika, from Butuan, who was excited to join us on this adventure.

Honestly, there are no time limits on how quickly or slowly you can complete the walk, but I suggest coming prepared with water, snacks, a cap or hoodie, and sunscreen. There is no shade on the bridge, so the scorching heat of the sun could wear you out.

When we finished, we decided to head back to the city immediately because we were exhausted, and the sun was intensely hot (sunburn is real!). Walking back was no longer an option, so we chose to commute instead. There are three alternative ways to get back to the city that I know of:

1. Van or V-Hire: This option crosses through CCLEX and takes you to SM City Cebu for a fare of 60 pesos.
2. Jeepney: You will need to take multiple jeepneys to get back to the city. Although this was our initial option to explore more of Cordova, we decided to go with the third option instead.
3. Ferry: This is for me the fun way to get back to the city. We discovered it by overhearing a conversation among fellow runners. The ferry fare is 35 pesos for regular passengers and 28 pesos for students, with an additional 2 pesos terminal fee. The ferry will take you from Upon to Pier 3 in Cebu City.

As we concluded our little adventure, it became evident that sometimes the simplest plans can lead to the most memorable experiences. What started as a casual jog turned into an epic journey across the longest and tallest bridge in the country. It’s moments like these that remind us of the joy in spontaneity and the thrill of discovery. Whether you’re exploring new places with friends or embarking on solo adventures, I hope you find your own unexpected highlights and cherished memories. Thanks for coming along with us on this exciting journey—here’s to many more adventures ahead!