DPWH: Underpass done before March

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 is confident that the P638-million underpass project along Natalio Bacalso Avenue will be operational earlier than March 2019.

DPWH-7 Project Engineer Roy Dela Cruz told The FREEMAN that the contractor, WT Construction Inc., has completed about 83 percent of the project.

He said the contractor wanted to complete the project at an earlier date of the projected time of completion to remove the burden of commuters and motorists who experienced bad traffic condition in the area.

“Definitely, I am confident nga mahuman gyud ta.  Ang contractor gusto mahuman earlier than March,” Dela Cruz said.

Since August 2017, the public started to experience horrendous traffic in the south district.

“Nindot ang trabaho karon kay tan-awn nimo, nindot ang panahon. So ang atong work karon, naa sa underground,” Dela Cruz said.

At present, WT Construction Inc. is doing excavation works at the center portion of the underpass.

The middle portion is the phase V and VI for the underpass project.

The underpass project, which is about 600 meters in length, is composed of six phases. The first phase is in front of a fast food chain, the second is in front of the shopping center.

Its third phase is located near corner F. Llamas St. and the fourth phase is in the northbound lane of N. Bacalso Avenue.

Dela Cruz said the contractor is almost done with the excavation of the northbound portion, and they are about to start excavating on the southbound lane.

After the excavation works, the contractor has to concrete the walls, install slabs and others.

“Later, mag-concentrate ta sa drainage. Naa ta’y mga canals sa sides sa underpass, naa’y mga slab. Naa’y gamay nga sidewalk para sa maintenance,” Dela Cruz said.

Meanwhile, the traffic condition in the south district is now manageable since the northbound and southbound side roads were opened to vehicles.

From 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., both side roads are exclusive for northbound vehicles.

While southbound vehicles are directed to access the diversion routes such as Ganciang St., Caimito St., F. Llama St., and among others.

From 8 a.m onwards, both side roads will be utilized by both northbound and sidebound vehicles. (FREEMAN)