Underpass to open in June

CEBU, Philippines — All buses and mini buses can start using the P638-million underpass in June this year and have to cease plying the Cebu South Coastal Road.

Cebu City Transportation Office operations chief Francisco Ouano told The FREEMAN that the underpass lane is also intended for them to alleviate the traffic in the main thoroughfares.

Since August 2017, buses, mini buses and delivery trucks were diverted to CSCR due to the ongoing construction of the underpass project along N. Bacalso Avenue.

With this, the CSCR will only be utilized for northbound and southbound delivery trucks and private vehicles.

Ouano said they have to finalize the possible new traffic scheme in the south district including the access lane for the public utility jeepneys (PUJs).

But he said only light vehicles can access the northbound and southbound side roads.

He said PUJs and private vehicles can still pass through smaller access roads such as Tagunol St. and Macopa St.

But Ouano explained that traffic flow may still be slow in the area during peak hours because of the volume of vehicles although it will not be as congested as before.

Within this week, CCTO will be meeting with the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 (DPWH-7), shopping center owners in the south district and other concerned offices to finalize the traffic scheme.

Earlier, DPWH-7 committed to open the underpass on the second week of June after a year and nine months of construction.

Meanwhile, Ouano said DPWH-7 is obliged to install back the three traffic lights that were removed due to the construction.

"Actually, ilahang gitangtang ang traffic lights pagstart  sa project, part na sa ilahang commitment nga ilaha ibalik na," he said.  (FREEMAN)