THREE major infrastructure projects have been proposed for Cebu City: two flyovers and an underpass.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Central Visayas conducted a public hearing on Thursday, April 15, 2021, to hear the concerns of property owners who will be affected by the projects.

The two flyovers will be located at Osmeña Blvd. corner N. Bacalso Ave. to P. del Rosario St. corner Leon Kilat St. with a length of 1.140 kilometers and N. Bacalso Ave. corner V. Rama Ave. with a length of 1.265 kilometers.

The 915-meter underpass will be constructed at the South Road Properties in Barangay Mambaling corner Cebu South Coastal Road.

Joshua Monsanto of the DPWH-Central Visayas Planning and Design Division said work on the projects’ detailed engineering design (DED) started last December when the notice to proceed was awarded to the CEDCO Engineers.

The DED will be completed in eight months, or in August.

Monsanto said the DED has a budget of P105 million.

When asked how many properties will be affected by the projects, Monsanto said only a minimal number will be affected since there is already an existing road right-of-way.

Leah Negre of CEDCO Engineers said the road will be expanded 2.5 meters from the gutter on both sides. Affected owners will be paid the market

value and not the zonal value of their property, she said.

Negre said they will also include the adjustment of affected drainage.

Some of those who attended the public consultation wanted to know what would happen if their properties would be affected.

The representatives of CEDCO Engineers said they would be given cash compensation.

Negre said CEDCO Engineers will conduct a survey to determine how many lots and establishments will be affected.

She said more public consultations will be conducted as the projects progress.

Meanwhile, Monsanto said the agency is still trying to figure how much it will need to buy additional lots and pay lot owners and establishments that will be affected by the projects.

He also did not disclose how much each project would cost, including the widening of roads.

Rex Milan and Daido Abcede Jr., the barangay captain of Kalubihan and San Antonio, respectively, where the two flyovers will be built, have no objection to the projects which they believe will help decongest traffic in their areas. (JJL, PAC/PJB)