Lapu-Lapu’s ₱24-billion skyway project will be the first skyway outside of Metro Manila.
A P24.81 billion skyway that aims to reduce traffic congestion and boost the city’s economy will be built in Lapu-Lapu City if the local legislature approves it.
In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan stated that the Lapu-Lapu Expressway, or LLEX, will benefit not only the city but also the entire province of Cebu.
According to Chan, this would be the country’s first skyway outside of Metro Manila.
Traveling from the airport in Lapu-Lapu City to the South Road Properties in Cebu City would take only seven minutes with the skyway, he said.
Premium Megastructures Inc., Ulticon Builders Inc., and MTD Philippines initiated the project as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
The only requirement for the project to move forward, according to Chan, is a resolution from the City Council authorizing him to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the private consortium.
However, Chan is concerned that the project will be delayed for political reasons because it will give credit to his administration.
“I hope the city council will approve. I heard nga dunay (there is a) marching order from their party leader nga pababagan (to block it),” said Chan.
According to Chan, the opposition could not ask for more because the project generates revenue, solves the city’s traffic problem, and will be built at no cost to the local government due to the PPP arrangement.
The city council will meet on Thursday, Dec. 9, and the mayor hopes that the councilors will vote independently to approve the project.
The 12-kilometer skyway will begin in Barangay Babag 2, travel through Barangays Basak, Buaya, and Ibo, and end at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
The LLEX, according to Chan, will be completed in less than a year.
This article is originally published by SunStar Philippines.