Expanded F. Sotto Drive eyed to replace flyover bid

Negotiations are ongoing for the planned acquisition of land to expand F. Sotto Drive into a two-way road as an alternative proposal to a flyover project near the Asilo dela Milagrosa Church.

Engr. Nicomedes Leonor of the Cebu City Engineering District said P98.4 million was set aside in the 2013 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 for the road expansion project.

If implemented, F. Sotto Drive, a one-way street located from the junction of Gorordo Avenue and near a gasoline station up to the junction of General Maxilom Avenue, will be opened as a two-way road.

F. Sotto Drive will also serve as a short cut for vehicles coming from D. Jakosalem Street without having to pass by the intersections of Mango and Gorordo Avenues.

The P98.4 million appropriation for the expansion project is part of the P209.3 million DPWH budget for road improvement projects this year.

Other projects funded from the balance of the appropriation are the widening and concreting of Governor Cuenco Avenue from the Mahiga Creek to the corner of Quezon Street in barangay Cabancalan in Mandaue City worth P150 million.

About P59.2 million will be allocated for the rehabilitation of damaged pavements on the same road.

“Lot owners in F. Sotto have agreed so long as they are properly compensated,” Leonor said.

He said the management of the University of San Carlos North Campus and the USC-Montessori Academy located across the road agreed on the planned acquisition provided “that any works should be done equally on both sides.”

A flyover project was earlier proposed near the Asilo church while a second one was proposed along the intersection of M. J. Cuenco and Gen. Maxilom Avenue.

Both projects were strongly opposed by civil society groups and ordered suspended pending re-study.

Rep. Raul del Mar of Cebu City’s north district said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson wanted to wait for the outcome of the government review of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

He said this will determine if the flyover project proposed along M. J. Cuenco and Gen. Maxilom Avenue flyover project was still needed.

“There is a need to harmonize the (DPWH) study with the BRT study. I don’t mind all these delays to make sure that everything has been considered,” del Mar said.

He said Singson also assured him during their Aug. 16 talk that DPWH would also pursue the construction of an underpass from Archbishop Reyes Ave. to F. Sotto Drive using the P300 million budget for the Asilo flyover project.