Rebranding sought for Cebu Trans-axial Highway

Map of proposed Cebu Trans-axial Highway that would connect existing segments to enable fast travel from north to south.

Map of proposed Cebu Trans-axial Highway that would connect existing segments to enable fast travel from north to south.

Some Capitol planners are toying with new names for the proposed Trans-axial Highways project as part of an effort to “rebrand” it.

“North South Express” and “Cebu Mountain Lanes”  were among the names floated by the infrastructure committee of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) in a meeting yesterday.

“If it’s the Trans-axial Highway alone, it means that only a part of the total project is seen,” Engr. Jose Gonzalo Tumulak, a member of the  new technical working committee of the Cebu Trans-axial Highway.

The project was a campaign promise of Gov.  Hilario Davide III but during his State of the Province Address last week he said it was “not feasible at this time.”

“Rebranding the project is only  part of the idea because right now, there is a need to conduct a study to check  its economic viability. If the  benefit outweighs the cost,  then it can benefit society,” said Tumulak.

The plan for a 280-kilometer highway from the  north to the south of Cebu across the central Cebu mountains  includes  economic zones,  wind power plant, solar plants.

An initial estimate placed the cost at P93 billion, which the province can’t afford on its own.

Cris Lucero, head of the Provincial Planning and Development Council (PPDO), said they  coined new names for project.

Lucero said he plans to suggest to Governor Davide to identify strategic parts to begin work  until the whole stretch can be completed.  The north-south route has existing roads.

The Trans-axial Highway project was envisioned during the term of former governor Lito Osmeña who called  it the Cebu Backbone Highway.

The project was  revived  by  the late vice governor Greg Sanchez who renamed it the Cebu Trans-axial Highway.

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