Widening of bridge expected to begin this month

CEBU, Philippines - The private contractor hired by the city’s Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to widen the Mahiga Bridge in Barangay Banilad has yet to begin construction works owing to problems in the road right of way.

The widening project is intended to help minimize traffic congestion along Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue, but the problem, especially at the choke point of the Banilad-Talamban highway remain unsolved.

However, the project has been delayed for over a year as it was supposed to begin last November 9, 2009 and end last October 5, 2010. Still, DPWH head Nicomedes Leonor said he is optimistic that the project will finally materialize within the month after legal issues are threshed out in court.

“Naa pay road right of way problem nga kinahanglan nga moagi pa sa korte. Hopefully basin og maka-resume ta within this month of February,” Leonor said.

The national government has appropriated P10 million to widen the bridge. The amount also covers the cost for the road right of way or the private land(s) that will be affected by the project.

The construction works, budgeted at P3,995,546, has been awarded to Phil-Asia Resources and Development Corporation.

The construction of the P146 million flyover at the corner of Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue and Ariston Cortes Avenue was aimed at improving the flow of vehicle traffic in the area, but this objective was not realized because of the narrow bridge.     (FREEMAN NEWS)