CEBU, Philippines - Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado is calling on the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 to fast-track and prioritize the widening of the Tayud-Consolacion-Liloan road, which have been stalled since 2009.
She said that once finished, the project would help address the problem on traffic congestion in their place, adding that the current two-lane road is too narrow and is prone to accidents.
The road, which once belonged to the province, was already converted into a national road over which DPWH has jurisdiction.
“Kasagran gyod kada semana naay madisgrasya tungod sa kapiit sa lugar. Kami sa lungsod sa Consolacion dako kaayo among pangandoy nga mahuman na dayon. Mohangyo ko sa DPWH ila na’ng paspasan, tagaan og prioridad, because that will solve the traffic problem (Accidents occur in the area almost every week due to the narrow road. Us in Consolacion are hopeful that this widening projects would be finished the soonest. I appeal to the DPWH to hasten the project by giving priority to it),” Alegado told reporters.
The road connects to the P2.2 billion Cansaga Bay Bridge, which has four lanes and was inaugurated by former president Gloria Arroyo on January 24, 2010. The project was meant to complement Cansaga Bridge between Mandaue City and Consolacion town.
Alegado said that because the road in Tayud only has two lanes, a bottleneck always happens there, contributing to traffic congestion.
DPWH-7 has allotted P150 million for the expropriation of 278 lots so the roads can be widened. Of the amount, P50 million was given to the Capitol during the time of then governor and now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia.
The project has been stalled due to road right-of-way issues and the need for additional budget. (FREEMAN)