Work on three Baguio overpasses put on hold

By Paul Rillorta
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways has sought reconsideration on request of city government to “put on hold” construction of three overpasses here.

This after the city council passed City Resolution 302 series of 2014 requesting the Baguio District Office, DPWH-Cordillera Administrative Region to suspend construction of overpasses, make a study and consider inputs of city council members during public deliberations before implementing the project.

The DPWH-BCDEO bidded out construction of three pedestrian overpasses in select locations in the city considered as traffic accident prone areas.

As per list of DPWH-BCDEO, the first overpass will be constructed between the Department of Tourism regional office and Baguio City National High School along Governor Pack Road with contract duration of 90 calendar days amounting to P9,222,600.86.

The second overpass is along Bokawkan Road with contract duration of 86 calendar days costs P4,880,627.06 while the third overpass will be constructed along upper Session Road near the an Elementary School with contract duration of 90 calendar days amounting to P9,222,036.

On Nov.10, a notice to proceed was issued to winning contractors and two allotments intended for the three overpasses were received by the DPWH as early as May and July.

Representatives of Road Board also conducted detailed engineering study on projects which included validation of actual sites, surveys and provided approved design plans.

An order from the Road Board was also issued for the BCDEO to conduct pre-construction activities on these locations and that the projects are already incorporated in the departments Project Monitoring System.

City District Engineer Alexander Castaneda assured the city government inputs discussed during the deliberations held Nov. 17 between the BCDEO and city council was officially forwarded to the Road Board last Dec. 1 for appropriate action.

Castaneda sought for a meeting between representatives of the Road Board and city council for clarification concerning the projects.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan has yet to reply on the request but said the BCDEO should provide exact plans and specifications for the projects.

Domogan also hinted his disapproval in putting an elevator or an escalator as part of the overpasses.