Underpass projects in Cebu City next year

TWO new road tunnels for Cebu City will  be bidded out next year  by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)  to complement the Plaza Independencia underpass.

Rep. Tomas Osmena of Cebu City’s south district said the two underpass projects were already approved by the Regional Development Council (RDC) and funded by the DPWH.

But the congressman declined to give details of the projects which may be implemented late next year if the bidding goes as scheduled.

“(Cebu City Mayor Michael) Rama may oppose its implementation,” he said.

Osmeña said a four-lane underpass would be built at the intersection of S. Osmeña Road and Juan Luna Avenue near the Radisson Hotel.

The second underpass would be built near the city-owned block 10, an area once occupied by the Community Scouts.

The congressman said he proposed for an overpass in these two locations but its  design was later changed to an underpass to complement Cebu City’s first subway tunnel built  near Plaza Independencia which connects to the South Coastal Road (SCR).

Having three underpasses linked  to the SCR would cut travel time from the Talisay City boundary of the SCR to Cebu City’s Mandaue City boundary  at the bridge near the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) office, Osmeña said.

About P150 million worth of rehabilitation projects for roads at the South Road Property (SRP) are ongoing.

WT Construction was awarded the contract to  redo the asphalt overlay and improve  the foundation of SRP roads.

“We are improving traffic at the SRP (to make the area more attractive to investors,” he said.

Osmeña said the SRP is a  good alternative to the Asi Town IT Park and  Cebu Business Park with lot prices expected to rise to at least P40, 000 per sq. meters once the SM development project at the SRP is complete.

Since traffic at the SRP is better managed, Osmena  said he is confident this will bring in investors./Correspondent Edison delos Angeles