Cracks found on SCR tunnel; DPWH says structure remains safe

Cebu City (Google maps)

CEBU CITY–The South Coastal Road (SCR) tunnel remains safe for motorists.

This was the assurance of engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cenon Wednesday morning following reports of cracks that were found on the structure.

“No problem daw. According to the inspecting engineers, the cracks are not structural and the tunnel is safe to use. Daghang Salamat for the quick response, DPWH,” said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña on a Facebook post shortly before noon.

Osmeña said he immediately called the attention of DPWH-7 engineers after being notified of various social media posts circulated to warn Cebuanos to be careful when using the tunnel.

“I have relayed to DPWH-7 the concern many people have been expressing regarding the cracks in the SRP tunnel, and they are sending a team to inspect it at this very moment,” Osmeña said on his FB page on Wednesday.

Osmeña wrote that DPWH-7 Director Edgar Tabacon and members of their technical team visited the tunnel to verify and assess the reported cracks on the structure.

“Initially the tunnel were noted to have a very very fine crack some years ago. These were assessed to be not serious, nevertheless, these were repaired/sealed during that time. These traces of repair oftentimes were mistaken to be misinterpreted as cracks. Rest assured we will come up with our findings (and recommendations-if needed) after the inspection done by our team who are at the site right now,” Osmeña said on his FB page, quoting a message which he received from DPWH-7.

Engineer Mario Montejo, assistant regional director of DPWH-7, appealed to the Cebuanos to be circumspect in making social media posts so as not to cause alarm.

“Rest assured, the SRP tunnel is subject to an annual maintenance and check-up so there’s nothing to cause alarm,” said Montejo.

The tunnel, about a kilometer long, was constructed since August 2008 and was opened to the public in June 2010. /jpv