WORK has begun to add two lanes to the portion of N. Bacalso Ave. along the Mambaling underpass to pave the way for the construction of a drainage system to address flooding in the area.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Mark Villar announced this during his visit to Cebu on Friday, July 16, 2021.
Two lanes will be added, one on each side of the road.
Villar directed DPWH 7 to fast-track construction to meet the target completion in December 2021.
The P16.7 million road widening project, which should have been implemented before the underpass was constructed, was delayed due to road right-of-way (RROW) concerns.
The problem was resolved only in April 2021, when DPWH 7 obtained writs of possession for around 200 meters of private property in the area.
Villar said he was furious after learning about the flooding problem at the underpass and directed the regional director to address this as soon as possible.
In September 2020, waist-high floodwaters inundated the area due to a typhoon.
The DPWH 7 installed water pumps that automatically turn on if floodwaters reach a certain level. (KFD)