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.