Monday, March 17, 2008 Ban-Tal flyover construction enters 2nd phase this week
THE Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) sees no need yet to open alternative roads for the Banilad and Talamban traffic.
But Citom Executive Officer Arnel Tancinco said they are concerned once construction of the flyover enters the second phase this week. The DPWH has yet to secure the road right-of-way for one property.
He said construction will extend to the Foodland side of the road and requires the closure of two north-bound lanes.
One lot owner, though, has not agreed to sell his property to the DPWH for the offered valuation of P15,500 per square meter, he said.
The DPWH needs to acquire 7,445 square meters of property along Gov. Mariano Cuenco for the construction of the flyover.
Lawyer Agustinito Hermoso had said that although they disagreed with the value, 90 percent of all affected lot owners have already agreed to sell their properties.
Headache
One lot owner, however, is giving the contractor a headache.
“Wala pa silay (contractor) entry permit sa property dapit sa Foodland after anang naay paril. Basin mapugos ta’g pa U-turn sa mga sakyanan kay masira gyud ang dalan (Motorists will have to make a U-turn),” Tancinco said.
He and engineers of WTG Construction and Development Corp. will visit the area to look for ways for the construction to proceed as scheduled and still leaving a lane available for north-bound traffic.
Tancinco said that although the second phase of construction was scheduled to start on March 25 yet, WTG has told them it would like to start this week.
He said that if they could not find other ways, Citom will be forced to ask motorists to use other roads.
The 390-meter flyover will span from across the Banilad Town Centre and beyond Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue’s junction with A.S. Fortuna St.
A 100- to 150-meter stretch of the two inner lanes of the four-lane Gov. Cuenco Ave. was closed starting Feb. 27 for the flyover’s construction, resulting to heavier traffic especially during peak hours.
Although traffic is light on Saturdays and Sundays, there are times when obstructions are present, like when there is a funeral procession or a traffic accident.
The mayor earlier said that if needed, he will invoke the general welfare clause of the Constitution and force open the road of the Cebu Memorial Park. (RHM)
