CEBU CITY -- The tunnel component of the Cebu South Coastal Road Project (CSCRP) is only about 78 percent done, just days away from its original deadline.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Project Management Office's Nonito Labrador explained that another four-month extension has been granted.
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By March 25, 2010, at least 1.367 kilometers are expected to be complete.
Paulo Cruz of Kajima Construction Corp. apprised the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of the project's status.
The tunnel component, which was started last June 28, 2006, should have been finished by Nov. 25.
Isoji Matsui, the Metro Cebu Development Plan consultant, explained that three elements, aside from the physical structure of the tunnel, are already in place: lighting, drainage and ventilation.
When drainage was brought up, PSR Jose Mari Bigornia commented that a worst-case scenario like typhoon Ondoy, which flooded much of Metro Manila late last September, should be considered.
Hikonari Maeda, Kajima Corp. project manager, explained to Director General Hermogenes Esperon of the Presidential Management Staff last June that some obstructions caused the deadline to be moved to December.
Private sector representatives (PSR) of the IDC also raised some concerns, like ventilation and other environmental or safety issues.
IDC chairperson Emmanuel Rabacal asked if communication will be possible in emergency situations in the tunnel.
Emergency
Labrador said a report will soon be released to answer these issues.
As for ventilation, Matsui explained that while it does not need to operate for several years, it is already in place.
"It can be operated anytime," said Matsui.
Bigornia then asked whether fire departments are ready to answer to emergency situations inside the tunnel, considering that this will be the first time such an infrastructure will be used in Cebu.
Maeda explained that Kajima is limited to the structural component of the tunnel. Such concerns should be addressed by the local government unit.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeņa conceptualized the tunnel to increase the marketability of the South Road Properties, saying it will ease traffic in the area and attract more investors.
The four-lane tunnel passes underneath Plaza Independencia, outside Fort San Pedro, and exits on Sergio Osmeņa St. (formerly McArthur Blvd.) in Cebu City.
(JGA of Sun.Star Cebu)
Tunnel linking SRP to Pier 1 soon to open
Originally Posted by EL LOCO
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