The city government of Manila has allocated PHP50 million for the rehabilitation of the Lagusnilad Vehicular Underpass which started on Tuesday.

Mayor Honey Lacuna and other officials led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the upgrading, concreting and drainage repair of the underpass which is expected to be completed in September.

Lacuna, meanwhile, asked for the understanding of motorists who would be affected by the road’s partial closure, saying the upgrading project in Lagusnilad is a long-awaited project that will benefit countless of Manilans and even non-resident who use the road.

“Actually, Lagusnilad is under the national government. We can’t just do it without fully informing them (national government). But since this is under our city, we will find a way for it to be rehabilitated since we are the ones who are always being approached reporting to us about the poor situation of the underpass, this is it, once and for all, we will fix the historic Lagusnilad,” the mayor said during her speech.

Lacuna added that the underpass was built in the 1960s during the time of the late Mayor Antonio Villegas . Too much wear and tear over the years caused its dilapidated state and is often flooded during the rainy season.

In 2014, she said a pump was put there to suck all water coming from under the soil which would now be upgraded by the city government.

Lacuna also thanked Manila 5th District Rep. Irwin Tieng for his assistance to the project.

Meanwhile, City Engineer Armand Andres said the total length of the Lagusnilad that will undergo the necessary rehabilitation is 235 linear meters while the average width is 6.3 linear meters.

The funds for the said project, he added, will be sourced from the capital outlay of road networks for the fiscal year 2023. (PNA)