New deadline for Banilad flyover set, as road widening starts today

The deadline for the completion of the Banilad-Talamban flyover has been reset to September 5, practically a month after the July 2008 deadline projected by the project’s contractor WTG Construction. 

This was disclosed yesterday in a meeting with officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar, the proponent of the project.

It was also only yesterday when the Notice of Cash Allocation amounting to P31 million arrived to cover payment for six of the nine properties in the critical area needed for the road right of way. DPWH needs to pay P40 million for nine properties alone.

DPWH yesterday handed over a check worth P2.236 million to the lawyer of the property owner present in the meeting. Incidentally, it is the same owner that consented last for DPWH to acquire the property. The other five lot owners will be paid within the week.

With properties in the critical area already paid for, Del Mar there is no more stopping the contractor to start the widening.

“With the four owners of the “critical” areas resolved effective today (yesterday), things will be running smoothly tomorrow and so there is no more stopping that we could already finish in one and a half months,” Del Mar said.

Del Mar said last Friday, July 18, that three lot owners finally consented to have their properties acquired by the government after they were informed that payment will arrive this week.

Willy T. Go, owner of WTG Construction, said the widening will begin today and that girders will be erected by next week once widening is completed.

Even if the July 2008 could no longer be met, Del Mar said they are confident that the flyover will be finished in September, still two months ahead of date of completion stipulated in the contract, which is November 30 2008.

DPWH lawyer Agustinito Hermoso yesterday assured that owners of the other properties that would be acquired for the widening would be paid 30 days after they sign the contracts with DPWH.

“They will of course receive their payments but this four comes first since these are identified as critical areas, they need to be cleared for the project to go full blast,” Hermoso said.

The Ban-Tal flyover was hatched in an effort to solve the traffic along Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue, which is seen to worsen in the next couple of years.

The original plan was to build the flyover in barangay Mabolo but the same was cancelled, as it was seen to disrupt the privacy of the religious establishments in the area.

The construction was suppose to start November 2007 but was moved to February this year because of lack of funds. — Ferliza C. Contratista and Niña G. Sumacot/JMO