TO DECONGEST traffic on N. Bacalso Ave., the National Government plans to build a P750-million underground pass, which is projected to be completed in 2017 or next year if there are enough funds.
Engineer Nonato Paylado, head of the Department of Public Works and Highways 7 planning and design division, said the underpass will stretch 700 meters from the Muslim Mosque on N. Bacalso Ave. to the corner of Cabreros St.
Paylado said that the underpass will allow two-way traffic with two lanes per direction.
The construction of the underground pass will affect surrounding properties, including two shopping centers.
First phase
DPWH 7 Director Ador Canlas told Sun.Star Cebu said that an initial funding of P200 million has been set aside for the first phase of the project.
He said that another P176 million was allocated by DPWH for this year to acquire road-right-of-way for the underpass and the widening of N. Bacalso Ave. in Barangay Kinasang-an, from the corner of the road going to Inayawan to Sto. Tomas Villanueva Church in Barangay Pardo.
The underpass project is included in the 2015 DPWH Infrastructure Program, which is funded by the national budget for this year.
Canlas said that the project will be done in three phases.
Budget
Funding for each phase will be covered by the annual national budget.
The second phase will funded by the General Appropriations Act for 2016 and the third will covered by 2017 national budget.
Canlas said that there is a need to improve road networks in the southern part of Cebu City to accommodate growing business activities and the increasing number of vehicles.
Infrastructure projects that cost P50 million and more will have to be implemented by the DPWH regional office, which is why the underpass will be constructed by the DPWH 7 not the district engineering office.