Trans-axial highway will push through

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale proposes to widen part of the road project this year, referring to a road from Talamban to Compostela

CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III said the trans-axial highway project will push through with the help of foreign partners.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale has also proposed to start widening part of that road project this year, referring to a road from Talamban to Compostela.

The proposed trans-axial road cuts across Cebu’s mountains from Daanbantayan in the north to Santander in the south.

“This is a solution to the traffic problem,” Magpale told reporters the other day.

Aside from decongesting traffic in Metro Cebu, the mountain highway will also help farmers bring their goods to the lowland, Davide said.

“We have not abandoned our plan to establish an alternative road, the trans-axial is one,” said Davide. He said the project includes feeder roads to every town center.

Davide was reacting to pronouncements of some legislators that the transaxial highway will damage Cebu’s watersheds. He said that is only their opinion.

“That’s why we entertain foreign companies that come here and ask us about our projects,” he said.

Davide said they always consult the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) to make all Capitol projects fall in line with national objectives.

Before Davide left for a vacation, Magpale talked to him about the project.

Magpale proposed to Davide to develop a road from Barangay Cambinocot in Cebu City, to Barangay Dapdap in Compostela.

Using this road, motorists will no longer pass through the heavily congested coastal roads in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Consolacion and Liloan towns.

She suggested widening rough roads, asphalting these and installing street lights.

Magpale suggested another road that connects to Danao City which only needs to be improved.

The proposed transaxial highway is a 300-km. road. In September 2015, the project was estimated to cost P56 billion.

Capitol is eyeing foreign partners to implement the project, which has components such as reclamation areas and seaports; economic zones; wind, hydro and solar power plants; water systems; and housing and commercial centers.