THE long-delayed multi-million flyover project at the intersection of Governor Camins and Veterans Avenue in Zamboanga City, which is in front of the Sta. Cruz Commercial Complex, is set to begin.
Mayor John Dalipe signed on Thursday, September 1, Executive Order JD-2022-020, temporarily closing the two middle lanes of a section of Governor Camins Avenue and Maria Clara Lorenzo Lobregat Highway to pave the way for the start of the project.
The temporary closure of the two middle lanes will enable the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to construct the flyover piers and approaches.
The national government, through the DPWH, has allocated P223.2 million for the construction of the flyover at the intersection of Governor Camins and Veterans Avenues, which is scheduled to be completed in 504 calendar days.
Dalipe said that the construction of the flyover is aimed at decongesting traffic on the eastern side of the city.
“Traffic flow will be improved once the project is completed,” Dalipe added.
Two flyovers are set to be constructed in this city way back in 2018 but were delayed due to political intramurals between the project proponent, then First District representative Celso Lobregat, and then mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.
The other one, worth P234.8 million, was supposed to be built across the Zamboanga City-Labuan highway to decongest traffic on the western side of this city.
Due to the delay of the project implementation, the funding for the Zamboanga City-Labuan highway flyover project was reverted to the national coffer.
Salazar insisted on first undertaking the road widening project along Governor Camins although the DPWH said it can be done simultaneously with the construction of the flyover structure.
Meanwhile, Lobregat is elated that one of the big-ticket projects he was pushing for implementation will finally begin.
“I am happy, not only me but to include the residents of the city since the project that will provide solution to the traffic problem will finally begin,” Lobregat said.
Lobregat recalled that he started sourcing funds for the two project way back in 2015 and the budget was approved in 2018. (SunStar Zamboanga)