TEAM urges motorists to avoid Ouano Avenue

CEBU, Philippines — The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) has advised motorists to avoid passing through Ouano Avenue at the North Reclamation Area, as one of the road rehabilitation phases of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is underway.

Early this week, heavy flow of traffic was felt by motorists, especially those going to Cebu City from the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

"So diri lang sa sila sa MC Briones, then Lopez Jaena, going to Cebu City, or ari sila sa M. Logarta moagi kung gikan sila'g Lopez Jaena. MC Briones, Lopez Jaena then diri sa M. Logarta going to SM," TEAM chief of operations Glenn Antigua said.

Antigua said that the DPWH started closing portions of Ouano Avenue to work on the first phase and the third phase of the area without their knowledge.

He added that the agency admitted that they plan to finish the other two lanes of the Ouano Avenue, which is part of the first phase of the project, then they will go straight to work on the third phase.

Antigua said the first phase is from Cebu International Port to Shell Gasoline Station. The third phase is from Shell to S&R.

With this situation, Antigua's group, however, opened the closed portions of the area since the agency did not give them a traffic contingency plan in the first place.

"Amo gi-open balik kay wala man traffic plan nga gihatag nila," Antigua said, adding that if they have sent their plans earlier, the Mandaue City Government will also prepare their alternative traffic plans as well.

He said the contractors, however, assured that they will iron out the situation in two months.

Now, the agency's contractors will now work on the second phase, instead of the first and third phases.

"Naawahi ang second phase, gibali na nila kay nakita nila nga menos ang moagi nga sakyanan kay tungod sa Zuellig," Antigua said.

The second phase of the project is the other side of CIP and Shell, along the stretch of Mantawi Avenue.

Antigua said the contractors are putting barriers for identification purposes - to give way at least two lanes going to and from Cebu City and the two other portion of the road will be for the ongoing road rehabilitation.

The DPWH has also coordinated with the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) to also provide an access road for those plying to northern part of Cebu, including Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

While he understands that the agency is doing their best in rehabilitating the road, Antigua hopes that the contractors will finish their work as soon as possible, since the city will host the bike route of the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship.

"Ma paspasan nila ang ilahang trabaho kay naa sad tay gi-apas sa Ironman," he said.

On July 30, the Ouano Avenue will be opened to traffic, letting the motorists pass by the area since the whole stretch of Zuellig Avenue will be used for the 90-kilometer bike relay which will be done in three loops.

The three loops consist of 30 kilometers each from Lapu-Lapu to Mandaue.

The total road closure for the Zuellig Avenue will be on August 5 from 4 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. — GAN (FREEMAN)