DPWH announces near completion of 4.9-km Cebu South Coastal Road

Traveling to the southern part of Cebu province would soon be a smoother ride than before as the Department of Public Works and Highways announced yesterday the coming completion of the Metro Cebu South Coastal Road. DPWH regional director Robert Lala told reporters that only about two to three percent of the 4.9-kilometer project remains unfinished and that only minor works are needed along the Talisay to Carcar portion of the road stretch.

Lala also mentioned that the repair and rehabilitation of the 34.8-kilometer Naga-Uling-Toledo road is already 65 percent finished, adding that sanctions should be imposed against the contractors for the rather slow work of the project.

Meanwhile, another DPWH project that Lala said would be completed on its target month this August this year is the Guadalupe-Capitol Site Bridge.

He said commuters and residents have been complaining of heavy traffic the construction works have caused in the area, and these complaints have in turn been a major cause of delay, especially when lot owners insisted and fought for their rights of way.

Lala however said that negotiations between DPWH and the residents of the area have already begun and, if ever these fail, the department would go to court only as a last recourse.

The public should understand the complexities of this project but DPWH has been open to complaints and suggestions from them, said Lala. "You can report to the office as we could not monitor all projects... we are subject to change," he said. - Noreen B. Napoles, correspondent