Wednesday, October 25, 2006 Agency: Studies, estimates on Ulas flyover ongoing By Antonio M. Ajero
SOME P504 million will be needed to build the Diosdado Macapagal Flyover at the Ulas junction of the Davao-Cotabato Highway and the Davao-Bukidnon Road, said Regional Director Dimas S. Soguilon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Southern Mindanao based in Davao City.
Soguilon said the project proposal has been submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) for inclusion in the 2007 Japanese Government's Grant Aid Program due to the large amount of investment needed.
It will be subjected to a review by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), requiring the submission of various documents, including the feasibility study on the project.
"Part of the preparation of the feasibility study is the conduct of various engineering surveys, which this office did from May 31 to June 7 this year in coordination with our Manila office," the DPWH official said.
Soguilon said the data generated from surveys will be used to accomplish the ICC forms that will in turn be the basis of needed endorsement of the project by the Regional Development Council of Southern Mindanao.
Soguilon disclosed that the manual traffic count conducted in the Davao area three weeks ago is part of the regular activity of the National Road Traffic Survey Program, the official source of traffic data collected for the DPWH.
At present, preliminary detailed engineering activities for the Ulas flyover project are ongoing, he said. This includes the revision of plans and program of work based on the recommendation of the DPWH.
Soguilon said there are other activities that need to be undertaken as required by the Neda, including environment impact assessment for the issuance of Environment Compliance Certificate and Resettlement Action Plan.
