Thanksgiving mass, exporters’ appeal speed up UN work

ALL lanes of the United Nations Ave. in Mandaue City will be opened to motorists starting Oct. 28, but the public may have to brace for traffic gridlocks in another part of the city.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 will begin an asphalting project next month.

Engineer Rachel Lumapas of the DPWH 7 said the agency will undertake a P121-million asphalting project on a 1.9-kilometer stretch of Ouano Ave.

Within the month, Lumapas said, the DPWH 7 will coordinate with officials of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and the Province for the project.

Lumapas, in a press conference, said they worked double time to finish the concreting project on UN Ave. ahead of the thanksgiving mass for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod.

The mass, which will be held at the South Road Properties on Nov. 30, is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.

“The project is now on its completion stage,” she said.

Both lanes going to Mandaue City will be opened to motorists on Monday, Lumapas said.

The project contractor is working on the last segment of the outer lane going to Lapu-Lapu City.

The project upgrading almost a kilometer of the UN Ave., starting from the foot of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge, which connects the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, started last Aug. 20.

Aside from the thanksgiving mass, Lumapas said, they have to finish the project because of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Convention at the Cebu International Convention Center on Nov. 21.

Under the contract, the target date of completion is March 3, 2012.

“We thanked the local governments of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, the traffic enforces and the riding public for being considerate,” Lumapas said.

She said they have received calls from the Mactan Economic Processing Zone, requesting them to finish the project as soon as possible because their employees are arriving late due to the heavy traffic.

The Mactan Cebu International Airport also asked them to speed up the work.

Lumapas said a group of foreigners missed their flight because of the traffic gridlock on UN. Ave.

Lumapas assured that even though the project will be finished almost five months ahead of the target date, they make sure the quality of their work is not compromised.

Under the contract, the project should be completed within 180 calendar days.

From P28 million, which is the cost stated in the contract, the project’s cost increased to P31 million.

Lumapas said the additional P3 million covers painting of the curb and the gutter, and the change in the mix to cut the curing period from 14 to seven days.

Lumapas said the asphalting project on Ouano Ave., which has several potholes, will start from the New Avenue Bridge and end 30 meters from the junction of the CICC.

The project cost is pegged at P121 million.

Lumapas said they hope to start the asphalting project, which will be completed within 279 days, next month.

Lumapas said they will meet with the concerned local government units before the month ends.

The DPWH 7 earlier received flak for failing to coordinate with the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu for their concreting project on UN Ave.