Dads seek public orientation on tunnel

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City council seeks a public orientation on segment 3B-2 subway or tunnel section of the Cebu South Coastal Road Project three days before it shall be officially opened to the public.

The council last week passed a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works and Highways and Kajima Construction to facilitate a public orientation for the public to be familiar with the tunnel even before it is officially opened.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias who proposed the resolution said that a public familiarization of the tunnel is required so the public may better understand the safety features of the tunnel and so they may determine immediately what can be done during an emergency.

The tunnel is going to be useful in decongesting the traffic in the city. It connects the viaduct before the South Road Properties to Sergio Osmeña Boulevard and traverses beneath Plaza Independencia, thereby easing traffic in the city and allowing travel from north to south and vice versa easier and faster.

The council through the said resolution is also requesting DPWH and Kajima Construction to discuss before the members of the legislative body the conduct of the public orientation.

It was earlier reported that the project will open before the end of 2009 but the contractor said some obstructions have delayed its completion.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has also said earlier that the opening of the tunnel will improve the marketability of the SRP as it is expected to increase the traffic going in and out of the 300-hectare facility.

The segment 3B-2 subway is expected to be finished by March 25 as assured by Kajima Construction.

It is a P1.2 billion project funded by the national government through its loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

It stretches 0.97 kilometers long, consisting of a 610-meter twin box tunnel and a 360-meter reinforced concrete retaining structure. —Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB (THE FREEMAN)