Wednesday, July 25, 2007 Council, stakeholders tackle flyover
ALL roads in the Banilad-Talamban area will lead to the Cebu City Council this morning, as legislators meet stakeholders to discuss the proposed flyover at the Gov. Cuenco Ave.-A.S. Fortuna St. junction.
The businessmen expect the body to make a collective stand in the light of their objections on having a flyover instead of a widened and “flared” road.
Dr. Primitivo Cal, a respected urban planner from the University of the Philippines, is expected to present the results of the study he made on the viability and appropriateness of the proposed flyover in today’s meeting.
Led by Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the council invited all concerned citizens to join the public hearing at 9 a.m. today inside the session hall at the City Savings Financial Plaza building.
In particular, the body expects representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7, City Traffic Operations Management, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Club, homeowner associations and the officials of Barangay Banilad, Talamban and Kasambagan to show up and express their views.
Alternatives
Businessman Bunny Pages, who serves as the businessmen’s spokesperson, said that since the council has not yet endorsed the P126.5-million flyover, they expect it to make a stand today.
“We’re hoping the council will say that ‘we’ll conduct more studies first,’” he said.
Yesterday, during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Pages presented Engr. Teofisto Sanchez, a US-trained registered civil engineer and urban planner.
Sanchez made the 100-page study that suggested alternatives to the proposed flyover in helping address the traffic situation in Banilad.
He said that while he liked flyovers built in Metro Manila, he disliked the ones built in Cebu because of the inappropriateness of its design.
He said that based on his study, a widened road and flared intersection are more desirable right now.
Observations
A flared intersection has a lane made exclusively for right-turning vehicles, which are not dependent on traffic signals.
Aside from the fact that millions in pesos could be saved, Sanchez said that widening and flaring accommodate more vehicles compared to flyovers.
He based his statement on observations he made on the junction near the Keppel Building at the Ayala Business Park, where north-bound vehicles could turn right anytime for Cardinal Rosales Ave. and to Juan Luna Ave.
He also observed traffic going to the two flyovers along Archbishop Reyes Ave.
Sanchez also suggested that the government create an alternative road by extending the Asiatown IT Park roads to the Maria Luisa Estate Park.
This way, the traffic volume from A.S. Fortuna is distributed from Gov. Cuenco to that part of the north area.
But, he said, more funds should be secured for this.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier said that if the businessmen want to widen the road or build a skyway from the A.S. Fortuna intersection to that small road leading to the Gaisano Country Mall, they should put up the money.
The mayor said that right now, what is available is the P126.5 million for the flyover.
Pages said the businessmen could raise the needed amount and arrange for a tax credit with City Hall.
Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north) earlier gave proponents of alternative solutions to the Banilad-Talamban traffic until Tuesday next week to submit them. (RHM)
