After causing heavy traffic: capitol, Mandaue City halt rotunda experiment

CEBU, Philippines — After just a day and a half since implementing a simulation of a proposed roundabout system in an intersection in Mandaue City, the city’s officials and Gov. Gwen Garcia has agreed to stop it pending improvements.

This after heavy traffic was experienced in the area, with motorists and commuters posting their reactions on social media.

On April 14, the Cebu Provincial Government together with the Mandaue City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) implemented an “experimental rotunda” at the intersection of UN Avenue and DM Cortes Street for the proposed roundabout system.

The proposed roundabout system in one of Mandaue’s busiest intersections aims to ease the traffic, allowing vehicles to continuously move in one direction around the rotunda.

But the proposed roundabout system received different reactions from the motorists, with others saying that the simulation added up to the traffic congestion in the area causing close to an hour of delays.

“Samot jud ni ka traffic, yesterday (April 14) almost 30 mins ko na stuck padong Pacific Mall wa ko kaagwanta ninaog kos tunga oi kay malate na jud ko, dagko-a kaayo ang truck gahapon,” one netizen commented.

Some took to social media their comments saying that the experimental rotunda in the area is too small, unlike the rotunda in Fuente Osmeña Circle, especially since big trucks and trailers traverse the area.

Some, on the other hand, posted how they appreciate the efforts made by the government to look for ways to ease the traffic in the area.

Officials of the Capitol headed by Gov. Garcia together with officials of Mandaue, including the officials of DPWH and Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) inspected the area on April 14 and assessed the situation during the simulation.

The Capitol promised to make improvements to the proposed roundabout system, assuring to widen the roads for a bigger rotunda.

Motorists also suggested installing sufficient signages to guide motorists and strengthening the information drive on the proposed changes in the area.

“Gov. Gwen will meet owners of the affected lots in the area, telcos, and utility firms whose structures fall within the roundabout area to discuss terms on how they can help make the system work,” said the report by the Capitol’s media outlet, Sugbo News.

Government officials will also move the roundabout circle closer to D.M Cortes.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes admitted there were delays on traffic flow and there were recommendations made to improve the system.

“Yes dunay kalangan…naningkamot ta to level up our mitigating projects nga atong pagabuhaton together with DPWH,” Cortes said.

“There was a positive response from the lot owners nga maigo sa flaring para mapadak-an ang area sa intersection didto sa U.N Avenue dapit sa Maayo Hotel,” added Cortes.

But Cortes emphasized the need to continually find improvements to help solve Mandaue City’s traffic congestion.

“Nasayod ta nga ang Mandaue, maoy corridor sa Metro Cebu and aduna ni syay economic implication kun ang traffic dili nato sulbaron and in fact ang atong gibuhat kagahapon, usa to sa pamaagi nga makakita ta og solusyon sa umaabot nga mga adlaw sa implementasyon sa mga projects,” he explained.

Cortes and Garcia agreed to remove the experimental rotunda pending the implementation of improvements in the area.(CEBU NEWS)