Proposed underpass too costly

The construction and maintenance cost of the proposed underpass along Juan Luna Avenue joining with Cardinal Rosales Avenue and F. Cabahug Street is not feasible and entails disadvantages, according to the study of the regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

This was in response to proposals that the flyover to be built along Juan Luna Avenue be replaced by an underpass instead.

The flyover project, proposed by Cebu City North Rep. Raul del Mar, was supposed to start in 2001 but did not materialize owing to monetary constraints. Likewise, several complaints have been raised against the project.

Many opposed the project and instead suggested that instead of a flyover it should be an underpass.

But DPWH regional director Robert Lala said that the estimated project cost for an underpass is higher compared to a flyover. The underpass project will cost P124 million while the flyover is only P86.685 million, lower by P37.315 million, according to Lala.

"The construction and maintenance cost is much higher and its construction methodology is much more complicated," Lala said in his letter addressed to Del Mar and copy furnished to the city council.

Lala pointed out that there will be a tremendous volume of excavation works that will adversely affect the soil substrata and its environmental setting.

He said the proposed underpass requires construction of side roads on both sides of the carriageway, which will affect private properties on both sides. This also affects the existing main utility structures such as telephone lines, water and electricity lines.

As to the suggestion that the flyover be built at the Juan Luna junction with M.J. Cuenco Avenue, DPWH said that it will not be feasible because the creek beside the Florencio Urot High School will be blocked by the foundation of the retaining wall of the structure.

Also, extending the flyover to pass through two intersections will be costly, Lala said.

Sto. Niño Village Homeowners Association President Rogelio Sande supports the proposal to relocate the overpass to the intersection of Gov. Cuenco Avenue and A.S. Fortuna Streets to decongest traffic brought about by the seven schools in the area.

"The overpass will definitely be of help. We only have to contend with the left turn from A.S. Fortuna, the ones from Ma. Luisa Park which is few, and Gov. Cuenco to A.S. Fortuna. Oftentimes, the long line of vehicles reached as far as Sto. Niño Village which is one kilometer away," Sande said.

But Lala said the realignment of funds will take months to prepare as well as the engineering works. He said they will have to start from scratch since there are still no preliminary nor detailed engineering works, and it will take five to six months to complete the project.

For now DPWH is holding off the construction until such time the Cebu City Council and all sectors involved will approve.

The flyover is to be centrally located along the main arterial road connecting barangays Kasambagan, Mabolo and Luz. - Garry B. Lao