Lapu-Lapu City expressway soon to break ground

CEBU, Philippines — The proposed 12.17 kilometer Lapu-Lapu Expressway (LLEX) will soon break ground with the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Lapu-Lapu City government and the project proponents during the recent celebration of the city’s 61st Charter Day.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan said the skyway, the first outside Metro Manila, will be built at no expense on the part of the city.

The project – to be undertaken by Premium Megastructures Inc., (PMI), Ulticon Builders Inc., and MTD Philippines Inc. – will connect the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

The proponents of the project will recoup the construction cost through toll fees. They will also give the city the latter’s agreed share.

Under the terms and conditions of the project, the city government will get one percent share of the total toll fee collected during the 50-year contract.

Chan was able to reduce the contract life from 50 years to 35 years although it is renewable to 50 years.

He also convinced the proponents to increase the one percent share after 15 years of the contract.

Aside from its share from toll fees, the city government will also have shares of 40 percent from commercial spaces along the highway.

Majority of city councilors, who earlier questioned the project, are now supporting the project, which is seen to help boost the city’s economy.

Last June 9, the opposition-dominated Lapu-Lapu City Council passed a resolution approving the LLEX project and authorizing the mayor to sign the MOA on behalf of the city.

The mayor also assured everyone that LLEX will not cut through residential areas.

More than half of the expressway is on the ground, or 56% and the remaining 44% is on an elevated highway. It has exit ramps to the city’s barangays and Cordova town.

Motorists may no longer need to pass through the inner streets going to these barangays and Cordova town, which in effect, will greatly reduce traffic in the city.  – LPM (FREEMAN)