DPWH to build flyovers despite Rama's disapproval

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is bent on pursuing the construction of flyovers along the intersections of General Maxilom and M.J. Cuenco avenues as well as Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes avenues despite Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s disapproval.

DPWH Cebu City district engineer Nicomedes Leonor said they will formally launch the projects in a public forum that will be held at the conference room of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7 regional office tomorrow morning.

Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar, the proponent of the two projects, will deliver a short speech at the start of the forum while Leonor will explain the concept of the projects which are supposed to help ease the traffic problem in the area.

The DPWH engineers will brief the public about the latest traffic analysis along M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom avenues including Archbishop Reyes and Gorordo avenues.

DPWH 7 legal officer Agustino Hermoso will also discuss the road-right-of way issue because part of the allocated budget for the construction of the flyovers are intended for the widening of roads near the said projects.

Leonor said the narrow portion of M.J. Cuenco Avenue near the entrance of barangay Hipodromo up to barangay Mabolo shall be widened once the construction of the flyover along General Maxilom Avenue will be completed.

According to Leonor, some houses and stores within the intersections of Gorordo Avenue would be affected by the construction of a flyover in the area.

The DPWH, through Del Mar, has appropriated close to P400 million for both flyover projects.

DPWH has also allocated P250 million additional funds for the road widening and construction of the flyover project along M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom avenues because Leonor said there was already an initial P50 million fund for the same project.

To recall, Rama said the congressmen should not implement infrastructure projects without consulting the concerned local government officials. This, even after traffic authorities welcomed the construction of flyovers saying it will help minimize the traffic congestion. — (FREEMAN)