DPWH earmarks P400M for 2 flyovers

CEBU, Philippines - The construction of flyovers projects at the intersection of M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues, and another one at the junction of Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes Avenues are expected to start a few months from now.

This is after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) appropriated close to P400 million for the two undertakings. The twin flyover projects will be undertaken by the DPWH 7 office.

Cebu City District Engineer Nicomedes Leonor said the DPWH engineers already started preparing the Program of Works and Estimates (POWE) and the design, which is expected to be finished in a month.

Leonor said the bidding for the flyover projects will be immediately conducted as soon as the preparation of the POWE is completed.

Construction can then start by middle of this year.

The DPWH allocated P250 million additional funds for the road widening and construction of flyover project along M.J. Cuenco Avenue corner General Maxilom Avenue. Leonor remembers there was an initial P50 million allocated for the same project.

A flyover similar to the one in barangay Banilad usually costs about P100 million but the DPWH allocated more money to include funds needed for the road-right-of-way for the widening of the M.J. Cuenco Avenue from corner General Maxilom Avenue up to Juan Luna Avenue in barangay Mabolo.

Leonor is also certain that there was an advanced budget for the construction of an overpass at the junction of Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes Avenues. For this year, the DPWH allocated an additional P60 million for a flyover in that place.

It was former Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar who facilitated the initial budget of the twin projects. After his term ended last June 30, her daughter who succeeded his post – Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar – also made follow ups for the additional allocations.

“Cutie was my chief of staff when we provided the initial funding and she is the one who sourced the balance of the funding required. Cutie already met with the DPWH regional director to complete all the plans so that consultations with all stakeholders, CITOM and the city officials can start,” the former congressman said.

The procedure is that no major infrastructure projects can be implemented without the knowledge and concurrence of the local government officials concerned.

Traffic authorities said the construction of flyovers along the areas is very much welcome because these will surely help minimize traffic congestion.

According to Leonor, the narrow portion of M.J. Cuenco Avenue near the entrance of barangay Hipodromo up to barangay Mabolo shall be widened once construction of the flyover along the junction of General Maxilom Avenue will be completed.

The other flyovers constructed in Cebu City are situated in barangays Banilad, Barangay Luz and in Mambaling. – Rene U. Borromeo/JPM (THE FREEMAN)