CCLEX eyes new ramp

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEX) President Allan Alfon has confirms that the company is prioritizing the construction of a new interchange project along the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR), shifting immediate focus away from the proposed V. Rama ramp.

The CSCR-CCLEX interchange, developed in coordination with Mayor Nestor Archival, is being positioned as a critical traffic solution ahead of the opening of the 16,000-seat SM Arena later this year.

The project will feature two new on- and off-ramps that directly connect key areas of Cebu City to the expressway, allowing motorists from Mactan and the airport to bypass the seven-kilometer detour through the Talisay boundary or the bottleneck at Vestil Street.

Alfon emphasized that no families will be affected by the construction of the interchange, a significant departure from the earlier V. Rama ramp plan.

In a press conference with Mayor Archival, Alfon clarified that the V. Rama ramp has not been scrapped but deferred for long-term consideration.

The ramp was originally envisioned during the administration of former mayor Michael Rama as a direct exit into Cebu City’s upland areas.

However, its construction would have required relocating 300 to 400 families living along riverbanks and entailed costly right-of-way acquisition.

The project also faced criticism for potentially worsening congestion in inner-city roads such as C. Padilla once widened.

These challenges, combined with the urgent need to address traffic at SRP, prompted CCLEX to shift its priority to the CSCR interchange.

Archival, who earlier wrote to CCLEX in March urging immediate solutions to prevent gridlock once the arena opens, welcomed the proposal as a timely innovation that aligns with the city’s mobility goals.

He underscored that the arena’s opening will bring thousands of vehicles into SRP, making the interchange a necessary intervention.

To avoid displacement and accelerate construction, Archival specifically requested an offshore ramp design, which CCLEX has now adopted.

The interchange project is estimated to cost between ?3 billion and ?4 billion.

It is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the SRP area, shorten travel distances, and help motorists save on fuel costs.

The project is also anticipated to contribute to lowering vehicle emissions by minimizing idle time in traffic.

Offshore construction methods are being planned to accelerate the timeline, with proponents targeting completion within one and a half years.

But Archival stressed that while he supports the plan, the proposal must still pass through the Cebu City Council for comments and approval before construction can proceed.

City officials and project stakeholders continue to coordinate closely to ensure that the proposed development aligns with Cebu’s broader infrastructure and mobility goals.

For now, the CSCR-CCLEX interchange stands as CCLEX’s flagship project to address Cebu City’s immediate traffic challenges, while the V. Rama ramp remains a deferred option for future development. — Preciosa Bacalso/BRP