CEBU, Philippines - The Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed at least four infrastructure projects that would address the traffic problem in Metro Cebu.
RDC approved during its executive committee meeting the recommendation of the Infrastructure Development Committee to endorse the projects identified by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).
At least four road projects are being considered as immediate as it will address traffic congestion.
These include the 18-kilometer outer Cebu circumferential road with distributer roads from Pardo to Talamban, Cebu City amounting to P2.7 billion; 5.4 kilometers of H. Cortes Street in Mandaue City amounting to P474 million, and the 6 kilometers Cebu North Coastal Road from Tayud, Consolacion to Liloan amounting to P150 million.
The projects also include drainage that seeks to address the flooding problem in Metro Cebu.
Considered as short to medium term projects are the flared intersection with geometric improvement and road-right-of-way acquisition at Poblacion, Minglanilla (P40 million); Juan Luna – MJ Cuenco Intersection (P80 million); Juan Luna-Cardinal Rosales Intersection (P80 million); Cebu North Road – UN Avenue Intersection (P150 million); UN Avenue-Plaridel St. Intersection (P50 million); AC Cortes Ave.-Plaridel St. Intersection (P50 million); and Mactan Circumferential Road-Pajo-Basak, Marigondon Road (P100 million).
Road widening including sidewalks with planting strips and access ramps from Minglanilla to Carcar City (P180 million); and Pajo-Basak, Marigondon Road (P200 million).
The synchronized signalization project at SRP Tunnel to Cebu International Port Bridge 2 with 12 intersections will cost P75 million.
There are selective mill and pave projects at corners V. Rama-B. Rodriguez-N. Bacalso (P10 million); Arch. Reyes Ave. (P50 million), F. Sotto St. (P50 million) and V. Sotto St. (P25 million), all in Cebu City.
The three-meter river easement and paving will be enforced at Basak Pardo River (P28 million), Subangdaku River (bukana) (P21 million), CIP vicinity (P18 million), Cansaga channel (P50 million), Tipolo Waterways (P50 million), Mahiga River (P50 million) and Mantuyong River (P20 million).
The Mandaue Coastal Road is also estimated to cost P350 million.
The unimplemented infrastructure projects identified by the Metro Cebu Land Use and Transport Study (MCLUTS) involving a total of 18 road links distributed in the area of Cebu City, Talisay City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City amounting to P197 million are also being considered by MCDCB.(FREEMAN)