Preliminary works for the SMART (Stormwater Management and Rapid Traffic) underpass project will be included in the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) next year.
An initial amount of P176 million was included in the proposed budget of the DPWH Cebu City District Engineering Office, although it will be the regional office which will be implementing the project.
Cebu City District Engineer Fernando Cruz said the amount will go to the widening of the Natalio Bacalso Avenue where the SMART underpass will be built.
It will also finance construction of a sidewalk, curb, gutter and drainage system. Bidding for the project had yet to be scheduled, Cruz said.
In last week’s press conference Regional Director Ador Canlas of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the proposed underpass and road widening was found to be feasible.
Final results
“But I heard from the consultants conducting the study that using the underpass as catchment for floodwater might not be feasible. But since they’re still conducting the survey, we will have to wait for the final results,” Canlas said.
Last June, Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City’s south district said he talked with Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and was assured of P350 million for the project.
“I’m in Manila right now to make sure that the congressional committee on appropriations in which I’m a member will not mis this item in the General Appropriations Bill which is expected to be passed on third reading when Congress resumes on Oct. 20,” he said.
Abellanosa confirmed that the feasibility study on the underpass component was positive while the catchment component is more complicated and ongoing.
He said underground concrete cisterns will have a storage capacity equal to 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“It’s still going on due to many technical considerations. But it is expected to be completed before the year is over,” Abellanosa said.
The 700-meter underpass will run along N. Bacalso Ave. through the intersection in F. Llamas St. The project’s total cost is pegged at P754 million.
The biggest chunk of the budget will go to the underpass construction at P544 million.