DPWH says flyover passable next month

CEBU - If the Department of Public Works and Highways would be believed, the controversial Banilad-Talamban flyover would already be usable by end of next month, although construction of the side roads would continue until November.

Completion of the flyover was first scheduled last July 15 but was moved to September 5 with the project’s contractor, WTG Construction, blaming the delay on the failure of DPWH to acquire the properties that would be used for the road right of way.

But during yesterday’s session of the City Council, DPWH legal officer Agustinito Hermoso said the “curing period” of the flyover would end by the last week of October while the side roads would be completed by the end of November.

Engr. Christopher Semilla of the WTG Construction said the side roads would be constructed one after the other so as not to disrupt the flow of traffic. Each of the side roads will have two lanes. 

The 10-month contract for the P140 million, 390-meter flyover will end on November 26.

Yet DPWH still insisted that the flyover is not the best solution to the traffic congestion in Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue, especially at the junction of Mahiga bridge near the Gaisano Country Mall.

The city’s traffic authorities are planning to remove the intersection located near the bridge, which means that motorists from barangay Apas could no longer make a left turn towards Talamban.

It would also mean that vehicles coming from the Cebu Memorial Park could no longer cross Gov. Mariano Cuenco Avenue towards the Gaisano Country Mall.

But there might be a problem with visibility in the new flyover, as the Visayan Electric Company said it still has not acquired entry permits from the private lot owners for them to install new electric posts.

On the other hand, traffic enforcers doing overtime work at the construction area have also complained that they still have not received their overtime pay.

Hermoso advised WTG Construction to formally request DPWH to shoulder the expenses because the department reportedly cannot directly disburse funds without proper request. The P500,000 WTG Construction is shouldering for overtime pay of the enforcers is reportedly insufficient.

“Mao na nga ang ubang mga traffic enforcer manago inigka gabii na kay mahadlok nga maka-overtime na sab nga walay sweldo,” said Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)