Radaza asks DPWH for alternate routes

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has questioned the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 whether it has diversion roads along UN Avenue in Mandaue City, following the anticipated P890-million tri-level project in the area.

Though it was questioned during the stakeholders' meeting last week, Radaza said the agency has yet to explain or give specifics about this project, which she positively welcomed.

"We welcome such (project) but tan-awon una kung unsay alternate (roads) nga himoon nga dili maka-cause gyud og grabeng traffic," she said.

The DPWH reportedly targets to start the project this April.

The tri-level project, according to earlier reports, consists of flyovers, interchanges and underpass.

The DPWH has tapped the Tacloban-based BM Marketing Corp. to undertake the project.

Radaza added that other stakeholders also asked how deep and how wide will be the digging area of their project, which is set to be constructed at the intersection of UN Avenue and Plaridel Street.

If traffic plans set by the agency will not be announced ahead of the start of the project, chances are, the commuters and motorists using the Marcelo Fernan Bridge will suffer.

"We have to have that before the start of the project," Radaza said, considering that this project will be completed within 910 days or three years.

The new bridge serves as a gateway for those private companies transferring their goods to the Mactan Economic Processing Zone (MEPZ) and for those heading to and from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Similar traffic dilemma was experienced during the repair of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge in 2016 wherein the Lapu-Lapu City government utilized the barges and ferries as a remedy of the traffic situation.

The DPWH rehabilitated the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, since its structures were already old and needed repair.

Recalling this familiar situation, Radaza considers the use of seaborne transportation, so that no commuters will get caught in heavy traffic due to the possible road project along UN Avenue.

The mayor, however, expects another discussion with the DPWH about the matter in order to give clarity of the said road project.

"Duna gyud sila'y other plans which wala pa kaayo nila maesplikar pa.  So, we are still expecting nga there will be still another meeting with regards to the traffic management," she said.

The city government will also make a separate traffic plan, once the agency can come up with their traffic plan for the said project. (FREEMAN)