Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Talk back: Flyover in Banilad
By Lowell Belarmino
Jones Ave., Cebu City
READING last week’s news reports on the proposed flyover at the junction along Foodland Banilad and A.S. Fortuna was really amusing.
Reactions were varied.
Those opposing it could not even agree why they disagree. Some who disagreed suggested road widening, thus sparking disagreements.
Allow me to air my sentiments.
--I am not a resident of Talamban or thereabouts but I am familiar with the place and its traffic history.
While studying at USC Talamban in the ‘80s, I saw how the old Banilad road or rather Don Mariano Cuenco Ave. was transformed from a thoroughfare with an idyllic countryside scenery (thus a commercial center there was named Gaisano “Country” Mall) to a very congested area.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña even predicted last year that the place will “choke to death” if the traffic situation is not addressed.
--Rep. Raul Del Mar has done much in improving the said stretch of road. I remember very clearly that when the first road widening was undertaken in the ‘80s, we cursed him for causing inconvenience to us students at USC-TC. But after the road was finished we thanked him for it through our support in his reelection bids.
--The improved road then brought with it changes in the area that required it to be widened again. At the turn of the century, widening was no longer an option, thus the plan to construct a flyover at the San Jose de la Montaña junction, and then at the junction of Ayala and Escario Ext.
--No offense meant, but I say flyovers in Cebu have not been proven to be detrimental to business. The first flyover in Talisay shows that business activity in the vicinity of a flyover will continue to flourish. The same is true with the flyovers in Maguikay-Highway Mandaue and in Hernan Cortes, also in Mandaue.
Although I agree that some existing businesses may have been affected, other businesses did sprout and adapt. Look at the structures and new businesses that have sprouted there. Pirmi na gud naay holdup dihang dapita.
--Widening is a logical solution, but up to what length can a road be widened. How can you widen the road in that particular area when the structures there are imposing?
--I have been driving through this road every working day going to my job in an establishment along A.S. Fortuna St., Mandaue since 1998. If the nuns don’t want a flyover in their area, please have it at the Foodland Banilad junction.
And to the good congressman, Raul del Mar, don’t give up. Just do it. You will eventually be proven right again.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 21, 2007 issue)
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