Rama Wants Further Study on P700-M Underpass Proposal

Mayor Michael Rama has said he wants a thorough study on the proposed P700-million underpass project in the city.

Rama said the project has to be studied first especially with the start of the implementation soon of the P10.6-billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for the city.

“If it has been attained in Malaysia and is proven to be good, then we go into it. But of course we have to look into also if technically, physically, feasibly and reasonably, is it really going to be the answer to our need?” Rama said.

Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district) is proposing for the construction in Cebu City of a P700-million worth Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project, like the one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abellanosa proposed to have a two-lane 700-meter-long underpass at N. Bacalso Ave. and F. Llamas intersection. Beneath the underpass will be another concrete chamber, which will serve as the rain-water basin.

The first phase of the project would include the widening of the N. Bacalso Ave. to six lanes.

The two lanes in the middle would serve as the underpass.

Rama said he will consider the implementation of SMART if this is attuned to the drainage master plan of the city.

But since this would also utilize the city’s roads, Rama said this is another reason to study the project carefully.

Rama said this matter needs careful study, especially with the BRT system to start soon.

The Department of Transportation and Communication and the World Bank recently briefed Rama on the implementation of the Cebu-Bus Rapid Transit.

Rama said the agencies gave him a draft of the technicalities and essential finances of the BRT project.

However, he refused to divulge yet its content as it needs approval from the World Bank.

Rama said the Cebu-BRT project, which was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority last month, has a total cost of USD228.5 million.

The BRT, a bus system where segregated lanes are made exclusive for the buses, is scheduled to operate by 2017 and ease traffic congestion in the city. (PNA) JBP/EB