Underpass project: Works to resume only after All Souls Day -CCTO

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will allow the WT Construction Inc., the contractor in the P638-million underpass project along N.  Bacalso Avenue and F.  Llamas Street, to proceed with the works on the Phase 1 of the underpass project only after the All Saints' and All Souls' Day.

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco "Isko" Ouano told The FREEMAN that it would be appropriate to start with the boring and piling works of the project site on the southbound lane of N. Bacalso Avenue in front of a fastfood restaurant after the "Kalag-Kalag" because there would be less volume of vehicles passing along the area.

He also wants the contractor to begin with the work after the public will be properly informed about the possible changes of the diversion routes.

"Maybe after Kalag-Kalag na lang para dili kaayo dagsa ang mga tawo.  Para naa say time ang DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)-7 to inform the public kay dili man ta ka diretso ug sira sa area," Ouano said.

When he visited the area last Wednesday, Ouano saw that there is still an ongoing work with the phase 2 of the project which is in front of a shopping center.

"Actually sige man ta ug monitor sa area.  Last Wednesday nagsige paman ug trabaho sa Phase 2.  Wala pa gyud nahuman," Ouano said.

The DPWH has modified the construction plan of the underpass project by working on Phase 2 first, since the first phase had issues with the pipelines that the Metropolitan Cebu Water District needs to address first.

Ouano is asking the patience and understanding of the public since traffic would definitely be heavy in the area.

In a separate interview, DPWH Project Engineer Roy dela Cruz said he is amenable with Ouano's proposal.

Originally, the DPWH wants to start with the works of Phase 1 on October 28.

He said that before the contractor will be asked to start with the works on Phase 1, there would be adequate information dissemination on the construction work.— /GAN (FREEMAN)