DPWH defends C3-Quezon Ave. underpass

The construction of a four-lane underpass along Quezon and Araneta Avenues in Quezon City will save government P116 million while easing traffic in the major junction, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said Wednesday. The project would also help solve the flood problem in the area by raising the drainage system’s capacity, according to the DPWH. “We decided to do the underpass and the original budget was over P500 million but when we bidded it out we ended up below — a little over P400 million — and we were able to save about P116 million in that single project," he said. Building a flyover in the same C3-Quezon Avenue junction would cost a little over P1 billion, he said. “The decision to do an underpass is based on a study done by consultants as well as the DPWH looking at six different alternatives including a flyover on Quezon Avenue, flyover on Araneta Avenue… The intention is to separate the traffic coming from Araneta and Quezon Avenue," he said. A cistern or water tunnel will be constructed underneath both sides of the underpass’ lowest level, and linked to a pump station with three pumps to siphon off excess water. “We’re confident that we will be able to address the flooding like we have done in the underpasses in Edsa-Quezon Avenue and [in] Makati that were all flood free," he said. The P430-million project will be completed in 15 months. — VS, GMA News