Saturday, December 29, 2007 Texan investor eyes trans-axial project
THE trans-axial highway got an international company interested.
Members of Quantum International, a holding company based in Texas, visited yesterday Cebu Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, the brains behind the Cebu Trans-Axial Development Project.
Sanchez showed to Quantum International a presentation about the project.
The highway covers a 300-kilometer road that will connect all municipalities of Cebu, with Santander as the farthest point in the south and Daanbantayan in the north.
The project also covers the opening of other water sources, windmill plants, agriculture areas, economic zones and watersheds.
If the highway gets realized, it will cut travel time by 40 percent.
The project will tap at least 120 rivers in Cebu as water sources. Windmill farms will be created to provide a much-needed power.
Power
The presentation said Cebu is generating 630 megawatts of power. The National Power Corp. provides 48 percent of this while the rest is outsourced from Leyte and Negros.
The Provincial Government wants to eradicate the outsourcing of power. Windmills will be installed in four areas and are expected to produce 3,000 megawatts of power.
The wind-power generation enticed Quantum International.
Al Johnson, president and chief executive officer of Quantum’s international affairs division, said the company is interested in wind turbines and plasma that eliminate hazardous materials while also generating electricity.
In terms of building the highway, it will go into a joint venture with an established construction firm in the Philippines that will oversee all operations.
“The construction firm in the Philippines will oversee all operations while using our technology and building techniques,” Johnson told reporters after Sanchez’ presentation.
The development project will also provide agro-environmental zones in Cebu as well as economic zones.
The economic zones that will total 7,000 hectares in four areas: the north economic zone, central, central-west and south.
Right-of-way
At least P440.6 million will be used in the road-right-of-way acquisition of the project.
The highway itself will cost the province P13 billion.
Engineer Edgar Sibonga, the vice governor’s consultant, said the 300-kilometer stretch of road will have four lanes. Of the whole stretch, 220 kilometers cover existing roads that need improvement, while 80 kilometers will be newly-built.
Terrains, box culverts, bridges, viaducts and tunnels will be built in vital sections.
There will also be rest areas with restaurants, rest rooms and business centers for long drives or travels.
Sibonga also dubbed the trans-axial highway as a “toll highway” with 12 stations identified all over the province.
Sanchez hopes to open an international bidding by January.
Construction is expected to start next year and will hopefully be finished by 2013.
“Excellent,” was John-son’s comment after hearing the presentation. (JGA)
