Mayor Rama Eyes Five New Access to SRP to Avoid Congestion

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has said he wants five new access roads or bridges to the South Road Properties (SRP) to avoid the expected traffic congestion in the area, especially with the opening of a giant mall there.

Mall operator SM Prime holdings Inc. is set to open in the SRP in the latter part of this year its third biggest shopping mall in the country and the biggest in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Rama said he wants to connect the SRP to barangays Ermita, Duljo-Fatima, Inayawan, Poblacion Pardo and Basak-San Nicolas.

He also wants to widen the existing bridge in barangay Mambaling from four lanes to eight.

Rama said the implementation of the project may require re-blocking some affected areas in the mentioned barangays.

Rama said the funding of the project will be charged against the city’s funds.

SRP Management Office chief Roberto Varquez said Rama ordered his office to study this proposal two months ago.

Varquez said that the completion of the project may take two to seven years.

There are only two access points to the SRP as of now, said lawyer Rafael Yap, executive director of Cebu City Traffic Operation Management (Citom).

Yap also said the Citom board has passed a resolution supporting the construction of additional access roads. (PNA) FPV/EB/EDS