PACKAGE 2 of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project is now in the Detailed Engineering Design (DED) stage, which is set to finish by August 2023, according to CBRT project manager Norvin Imbong.

He said a Korean company is currently handling the DED, which will include plans, accurate drawings, specifications, reports and design computations.

The Department of Transportation has yet to bid out Package 2, but it has set the procurement for the last quarter of 2023. The agency targets to start construction in the first quarter of 2024.

Package 2 is composed of two routes: one is from the Provincial Capitol to Cebu IT Park traversing Escario St., Gorordo Ave., Archbishop Reyes Ave. and M.J. Cuenco Ave, while the other is from the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to the South Road Properties (SRP) traversing N. Bacalso Ave.

The entire length of Package 2, which also includes a terminal and depot at the SRP, is around 10.65 kilometers.

At present, approximately 21 percent of Package 1 of the CBRT project, which covers 2.38 kilometers from the Cebu Provincial Capitol to the CSBT, has been completed three months since the construction started.

Package 3 will include routes from the Cebu IT Park to Barangay Talamban and the SRP to Talisay City with a combined distance of 22.1 kilometers.

It will consist of three feeder lines with bus stops and two terminals for feeder lines. (RJM)