CEBU, Philippines — At least three new steel bridges are set to be installed connecting the South Road Properties (SRP) to the mainland Cebu City.
The city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 will begin the installation this month of October.
Engr. Faustino Dela Cruz, Jr., DPWH-7 Maintenance Division chief, led a team from DPWH and the city on Thursday in conducting an inspection of the sites for the new bridges.
As reported by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), there will be a total of eight bridges at the SRP once the additional three will be established, with the existing ones to be improved.
Dela Cruz said that they will provide the necessary materials for the bridge construction.
“Also, our role is, during construction, we are going to supervise and provide technical assistance to complete the bridge projects the soonest, since we committed to have it completed before the Sinulog (in January 2023),” he said.
Mayor Michael Rama initially pushed for the construction of these bridges as preparation for the Sinulog 2023, which he wants to hold at the SRP.
Dela Cruz said that they will begin the preparatory works at the designated sites by next week.
Their target is to have the actual installation by the end of October or early November.
The bridges will be a two-lane steel bridge to be installed from the SRP backroad connecting to White Road in Barangay Inayawan; a single-lane steel bridge connecting the SRP backroad to Janseen Road in Barangay Basak-San Nicolas; and a two-lane steel bridge connecting the SRP backroad to Cabreros Street, still in Basak San Nicolas.
Among the existing bridges are the one connecting the SRP to Talisay City, the one on Vestil St., a steel bridge at the back of the SM-Ayala consortium’s property, and a spillway bridge connecting SRP to Inayawan.
Dela Cruz said that they are optimistic that they can finish the installation before the Sinulog next year, adding that it will take two to three weeks to install and complete each bridge.
He said temporary steel bridges will be utilized since these are readily available and can be easily installed.
The city government and DPWH-7 will enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the project.
DPWH-7 and City Hall departments concerned will continue to meet to plan for the preparatory works at the different sites and other activities.
Roundabouts
Meanwhile, the SRP will soon have not just one, but two roundabouts or traffic circles.
This was disclosed by Maria Charisse Pineda of the SRP Management Office as reported by the City’s PIO.
The first one is located near SM Seaside City while the second roundabout will be near Ill Corso’s Lifemalls accordingly.
Construction of the first roundabout is now ongoing.
The runabouts are expected to ease the increasing traffic in the area and avoid vehicular accidents.
“Tuyo ana nga malikayan ang kahuot sa traffic kay kung dunay bangga mohuot dayon ‘nya layo ang ilang tuyokan,” Pineda said.
The SRP is expected to be even busier in the years to come as Mayor Mike Rama has been trying to attract investors to the city and be part of his vision of a Singapore-like city.
Aside from the runabout though, the SRP is expected to be safer with more lighting and beautification and be a tourist attraction itself.
The SRP is also being ready as an international tent city in time for the big comeback of Sinulog 2023. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, GMR (FREEMAN)