Public consultations ongoing: More flyovers rising

CEBU, Philippines —  Public consultations are underway for three big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Cebu City – two flyovers and an underpass.

A flyover is envisioned to rise along P. del Rosario Street from the junction of Osmeña Boulevard to Leon Kilat Street with total length of 1.1 kilometers, and another along N. Bacalso corner V. Rama Avenue with length of 1.2 kilometers.

In addition, a left-turning underpass is also being proposed along the Mambaling road junction at the Cebu South Coastal Road.

For the underpass project, there are two schemes being considered: a proposed interchange is a left-turning underpass having a total length of 915 meters and a proposed roundabout with an inscribed circle diameter of 91 meters.

With respect to the building of the flyovers, the agency said there will be a corresponding additional 2.5-meter road widening project for both sides.

All three projects are seen to help ease the traffic situation in Cebu City.

Joshua Monsanto, DPWH -7 section chief for highways in planning design division, said the first stage of public consultations kicked off yesterday in which stakeholders were briefed on the study, surveys, and other activities related to the pre-construction phase of the projects.

The consultation was attended by businessmen, property owners, and government officials, including San Antonio barangay captain Daido Abcede and Kalubihan barangay captain Rex Millan.

One of the issues raised at the public consultation pertained to the compensation for affected or damaged structures.

To this, DPWH officials said that it will give enough compensation to owners of affected establishments based on the current market value of the structures and materials.

Owners of properties that stand to be affected at below 20 percent will be compensated based on the value of the property affected while owners of those that will be affected at 20 percent and above will be compensated for the entire value of the property.

DPWH officials expressed hope that establishment owners would cooperate during the future surveys.

Ded costs P105M

For these projects, private consultancy firm CEDCO Engineers stands as DPWH-7’s partner in the formulation of the detailed engineering design (DED).

The DED is expected to cost about P105 million.

There are no cost estimates yet for the actual projects themselves.

Engr. Leah Negre of CEDCO Engineers said that the eight-month study, consultations, and surveys are targeted to end in August.  After that, they will then submit their reports to DPWH.

“Duna pa tay daghan nga public consultations nga pagahimoon (We have yet to conduct a lot of public consultations),” Negre said.

Based on CEDCO Engineers’ presentation, one of the projects’ objectives is to improve and enhance Metro Cebu’s seamless East-West, South-North urban road transport network, economic, and tourism corridors to meet transport demand by year 2037.

The projects are hoped to promote efficient road transport network by easing traffic congestion at major intersections to facilitate a more efficient link to Cebu City’s domestic and international ports.

Also, the projects are seen to facilitate the movement of people and commerce from the Central Business Districts (CBDs), economic/export hubs, and contribute in re-directing future urban land-use, demographic, and economic expansion by providing transport mobility across urban districts.

Intelligent transport for Cebu

Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III virtually signed the grant for the Metro Cebu Intelligent Transportation System (MCITS) Master Plan forged between the Philippines and the United States of America through the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) yesterday.

USTDA’s grant will assist DOTr in evaluating smart mobility solutions through the development of a master plan for Metro Cebu’s 13 local government units.

The project is expected to play a critical role in enhancing system-wide transportation infrastructure improvements in Metro Cebu, including a new bus rapid transit system that is currently under development.

In a report from the Philippine News Agency, the grant amounts to $686,053 (P32.95 million) with a target completion for the master plan set for December 31 of this year.

“Through this partnership with DOTr, we are supporting the adoption of state-of-the-art traffic control technologies that will improve mobility and reduce emissions on Metro Cebu’s roadways,” said Enoh Ebong, acting director of USTDA in a statement posted by the USTDA.

Tugade, for his part, underscored the need to further bolster swift economic recovery through interdependence in trade and investments, including the establishment of a reliable transport system amid the pandemic.

“This important milestone is a substantial and much-needed thrust in our collective action plan to respond, recover, and rebuild for the future,” he said.

He said an innovative solution that will serve as a key enabler of swift economic recovery is badly needed.

Tugade further stressed that the MCITS aims to establish a transport system that promotes a sustainable community that will pave way for a seamless access to jobs, schools, necessities, and homes - something that is extremely crucial in this time of the pandemic.

Ebong, during the virtual briefing, expressed thanks to the Philippine government for the collaboration.

“My thanks again to Secretary Tugade and the Department of Transportation, for your partnership and collaboration, which are fully displayed today. We look forward to our continued engagement and exploration of new ways to partner together,” he said. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol JMD (FREEMAN)