TRAFFIC rerouting will be implemented on N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City, as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Central Visayas is set to implement a P700-million underpass project this month.
But before the start of the project, a traffic dry run will be done on June 7 and 8 to check the flow of traffic on the roads, which were determined as alternative routes that can be accessed while portions of N. Bacalso Ave. corner F. Llamas St. will be closed, said DPWH-Central Visayas Director Ador Canlas.
The infrastructure project will have six lanes, which include a two-lane underpass and two service roads on both sides with two lanes each.
WT Construction Inc. and Cedco Engineers Consortium will undertake the project, which has approved a total budget of P683,204,024.09.
Civil works for the project is expected to last for 18 months and will be implemented in stages.
Canlas said that once the underpass and its side service roads will be completed, it is expected to decongest that usual heavy traffic situation since most of the motorists, particularly those driving public vehicles, use N. Bacalso Ave. in going to and from the southern part of the province.
For the first stage, construction plan will include bored piling works at the corner of F. Llamas St., in front of a fast-food chain.
Public utility jeepneys (PUJ) with route numbers 10H, 10K and 10M will have to turn right to Katipunan St. from N. Bacalso Ave., left turn to F. Llamas St., right turn to E. Sabellano St., left turn to Macopa St., right turn to the portion of N. Bacalso Ave. and proceed to their original routes.
Other PUJs with route numbers 41D, 42 and 42D will have to access Lakandula St., from their designated terminal in Taboan Public Market, right turn to C. Padilla St., straight to Tagunol St., then to Rizal Ave. Ext. right turn to Gabuya St., right turn to F. Jaca St., left turn to J. Tabura St., then left turn to N. Bacalso Ave. towards their regular route.
The Cebu City Transportation Office is closely working with DPWH, and assured that enforcers will be deployed along the alternative routes to guide drivers.
Canlas said that if no major hitches will be noted during the dry run, the contractor will immediately start the construction of the underpass the following week.
Asked why they have to implement the project in time for the opening of classes this month, Canlas said that agency was supposed to start the project last April but several circumstances, including the new law on lot acquisition of the structures that will be affected, caused the delay.
“We need all the support that we can get because at the end of the day, we will all benefit from the project,” Canlas said.
Since the road will have six lanes, several structures, mostly commercials will be affected by the project.
Canlas said that the legal department of DPWH-Central Visayas is already working on the lot acquisition for the project.
