N8 highway
National Route 8 is a north-south major primary national route that forms part of the Philippine highway network in the province of Cebu. There are two highways that make up the road: the Cebu North Road and Natalio Bacalso Avenue. It runs from Danao to Santander. The highway also forms part of the Philippine Nautical Highway System, particularly the Central Nautical Highway from Danao to Cebu City and Western Nautical Highway from Cebu City to Santander.
History
The highways of N8 were possibly constructed during the American period. The route's direct predecessor is Cebu Island's Highway 1 that existed during the 20th century.Around 2014–2017 national routes were added, two roads assigned as National Route 8 by the Department of [Public Works and Highways].
Route description
Danao to Cebu City
N8 begins at Cebu North Road at the route transitioning from the more rural N810 in Danao. It then passes the future terminus of the Metro Cebu Expressway. The route then traverses the towns of Compostela and Liloan, where it veers away from the eastern coast of Cebu towards Consolacion and Mandaue. In Mandaue, it is locally known as M.C. Briones Street and Lopez-Jaena Street. It then enters Cebu City, locally known as M.J. Cuenco Avenue.Cebu City
In Cebu City, the route turns northwest at a junction from M.J. Cuenco Avenue to General Maxilom Avenue. Cebu North Road continues east of the Fuente Osmeña Circle, shortly reaching the Cebu Provincial Capitol and kilometer 0. The southern portion of N8 starts west of the circle as Natalio Bacalso Avenue, with this section being part of the Osmeña Boulevard. The kilometer count branches off from the roundabout/Cebu North Road, on a direction opposite to it. After another junction, the boulevard becomes a tertiary route, turning N8 eastward as P. Del Rosario Street, this time being a six-lane divided highway. This section and the rest of Natalio Bacalso Avenue is alternatively called the Cebu South Road.Cebu City to Santander
The route continues as Natalio Bacalso Avenue, traversing the southeastern coastal communities of Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga,San Fernando. After reaching Carcar, the route ends up in the Carcar City Circle, where east of it is Carcar–Barili Road. The route becomes more rural as it traverses through the coastal municipalities of Sibonga, Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, and Samboan. In Samboan, it terminates at its transition with N830.