A P7-MILLION road widening project meant to decongest traffic and improve drainage along J. Alcantara St., Cebu City commenced construction on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 300-meter stretch of road that spans the area along Librando Bus Terminal to the JDC building across Sambag 1st St.
In an interview on Tuesday, Feb. 4, Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, told SunStar Cebu that aside from the road widening and concreting aspect, the project will include the installation of drainage mains and the construction of sidewalk, curbs and gutters.
Guardo said because the area does not have an existing drainage system, residents and business establishments suffer from perennial flooding during heavy downpours and during the rainy season.
He said the project is also part of the City Government’s “land recovery” initiative which aims to transform the existing road from a two-lane street to four lanes to decongest traffic in the area.
“The existing concrete road is only about seven meters. We still have about eight meters to recover,” said Guardo, explaining that the road will be widened to 15 meters.
J. Alcantara St. is one of the access roads to residential areas in Urgello St. up to Barangay Sambag I and Sambag II. It also serves as an alternative route from downtown Cebu City to V. Rama Ave.
The project’s budget will be taken from the Local Development Fund.
Guardo said while the funds had been appropriated in previous years, construction was delayed due to a series of revisions to the project’s design.
He said the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) had to work on a limited budget.
Guardo said residents and business establishments in the area were already informed during a public hearing that fixtures and improvements that have encroached on the portion intended for road widening have to be voluntarily removed.
“In our assessment, only about 20 percent have encroached along the road, which is only a minor problem and most of them are aware of the boundary of their properties,” said Guardo.
Fixtures and improvements that have not been voluntarily removed by their owners will be taken down by a team from the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement, he added.
Aside from J. Alcantara St., Guardo said the DEPW is planning to start a road concreting project along the interior portions of Barangay Hippodromo in the upcoming weeks. (EHP)