Underpass to see light of day in ‘19

The underpass project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at Natalio Bacalso Ave., Mambaling, Cebu City will be completed on March 28, 2019.

However, DPWH 7 Project Engineer Roy dela Cruz told SunStar Cebu that one lane along the side from Shopwise to Tri-J Enterprises will be opened to traffic by December for vehicles from Southern Cebu to Cebu City.

At present, only one lane in front of Gaisano Super Metro is being used by vehicles from Southern Cebu to Cebu City, causing heavy traffic on peak hours.

The vehicles from Cebu City to Southern Cebu will turn right to Lourdes Parish, then to Sabellano St., causing a bottleneck all the way to F. Llamas St. even until late at night since the road is narrow.

The traffic congestion does not only affect N. Bacalso Ave. in Mambaling but also Tres de Abril St. and F. Llamas Sts. in Punta Princesa, Katipunan St. in Barangays Tisa and Labangon, and Tagunol Highway in Basak San Nicolas.

“The opening of one lane at the side from Shopwise to Tri-J before Christmas Day will definitely ease out traffic congestion to vehicles plying from Southern Cebu to Cebu City,” Dela Cruz said.

On the other hand, Dela Cruz said DPWH 7 has already conducted a public bidding for the widening of the road in relation to the underpass project in the amount of P18 million.

This widening project is really a component of the underpass project, but was delayed because of some hindrances, such as the objection of some property owners in the area.

“The widening project will include the front areas of both Shopwise and Gaisano Metro. We will soon call a meeting with stakeholders that include residents and building owners in the area to inform them,” Dela Cruz said.

Once Natalio Bacalso Ave. will be widened, alongside the underpass project, there will be a total of six lanes, two lanes for the underpass, and two lanes on each side of the road.