Mambaling flyover expected to cut traffic by up to 40%

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed flyover along Natalio Bacalso Avenue in barangay Mambaling is projected to reduce up to 40 percent traffic in the area, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

So far, no opposition is made against the 420-meter flyover, which is expected to be completed by early 2011. Stakeholders themselves believe that the flyover is the answer to the worsening traffic situation along N. Bacalso Avenue, C. Padilla Street, and the junction of the South Road Properties. 

In yesterday’s public information at DPWH 7, Officer-in-Charge James Dellosa said the flyover, originally proposed by Cebu City Representative Antonio Cuenco, is the first to be constructed at the south of the city.

The project is estimated to cost P159.6 million with a P380,000 budget per linear meter. The estimated total maintenance cost for the 20-year life span will reportedly reach P30 million, which gives a grand estimated total of P189.6 million.

The project will be funded by the national government with funds from the regular infrastructure allotment of DPWH.

Based on current data on average daily traffic along N. Bacalso Ave. from the City Traffic Operations Management, 13,771 vehicles pass these junctions going to downtown Cebu City. Meanwhile, 16,898 vehicles travel to the southern part of the city with 6,881 vehicles turn left to the SRP. From the south, 4,916 vehicles turn right to the SRP.

Vehicles vary from passenger cars, passenger utilities, goods utilities, small buses, big buses and trucks.

Sans the projected estimate, traffic cost reportedly amounts to P57,084, 490 for a year. Twenty years from now, with the expected increase of traffic per year, the total projected traffic cost without the flyover would reportedly reach at least P1.5 billion.

With the flyover in place, Dellosa said the total grand traffic cost in the next 20 years would reportedly only reach P1.05 billion, allowing savings of P469.7 million

The project has passed the feasibility analysis by determining its benefit cost ratio. Based on computation, the proposed flyover showed a BCR of 2.48 percent, which is higher than the one percent passing rate.

The ratio was obtained by dividing the savings that the project will incur by the total estimated cost for its construction and 20 years of maintenance.

CITOM Executive Officer Arnel Tancinco said the construction is expected to begin as early as March next year, considering that traffic is expected to lessen during summer.

Tancinco said they are currently developing a traffic scheme that would not completely inconvenience the public while construction is ongoing.

CITOM is looking at the SRP as possible diversion road because it can lead motorists directly to the Plaza Independencia and the underpass, which is expected to open by March.

For vehicles going south, Tancinco said CITOM is eyeing F. Llamas Street as diversion road. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)