Motorists told: Expect heavy traffic going north

CEBU, Philippines — Motorists are advised to expect heavy traffic heading towards northern Cebu starting today, as the first phase of a road rehabilitation project at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) takes place.

Motorists are advised to take alternative roads when going to northern Cebu and to Mandaue City, said Traffic Enforcement Agency Mandaue (TEAM) operations Chief Glenn Antigua.

The first phase of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s project will be along Ouano Avenue at the NRA, which is expected to be completed in three months.

The P223.707-million project has six phases and be finished in one year.

"Kung mahimo gihangyo ang mga motorista nga likayan ang Ouano area during unya sa road construction," Antigua said.

Antigua reminds motorists that this road will be closed at 7 a.m., since the DPWH will start mobilizing their heavy equipment around 5 a.m.

The right-most lane of the Ouano Avenue will be open for light vehicles but this will be tested today.

“Mao na siya’y tan-awon nato og unsa gyud,” Antigua said.

The Zuellig Avenue, the road behind Jollibee, S&R, and Cebu Doctor’s University (CDU) will serve as diversion roads for vehicles as well as trucks plying from Cebu City.

For those motorists coming from Cebu City, Antigua said they can pass by the roads in Subangdaku, Banilad, and Panagdait in order to reach the northern areas, including Mandaue.

For those coming from Ayala plying to Lapu-Lapu City or northern Cebu, Antigua said they can pass by Pope John Paul Avenue II and then to Panagdait, in Barangay Kasambagan.

Motorists can also have an option to take the M.L. Quezon road and A.S. Fortuna Street in Barangay Banilad, Antigua said.

“Another choice is to take the highway road of Barangay Subangdaku,” Antigua added.

TEAM assured that they have coordinated with Francisco “Isko” Ouano, operations head of the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM), in directing the flow of traffic from Cebu City to NRA in Mandaue City.

In an earlier statement, Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing has appealed to the public to remain patient in dealing with the traffic, as this temporary suffering will lead to better road conditions.

Underpass project

Meanwhile, Glenn Soco, chairperson of the Infrastructure Development Committee of Regional Development Council-Central Visayas, expects the presence of DPWH-7 Regional Director Ador Canlas today for their   meeting at the Eco-Tech Center, Sudlon, Lahug.

Soco wants Canlas to “shed light” as to why the P900-million underpass project in U.N. Avenue in Mandaue was awarded to B.M. Marketing Corp at a low bid of P711 million.

The contractor’s whereabouts reportedly “could not be ascertained” now that the stakeholders demand consultation and transparency in terms of their traffic management plan, which led to speculations questioning its capability in handling this big project.  (FREEMAN)