THE proposed traffic experiment for the Banilad flyover’s construction starts today, even as the Cebu City Council meets with affected sectors and concerned agencies to straighten out some kinks.
However, only the odd-even scheme for private vehicles and taxis from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. will be implemented from today until tomorrow.
City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) Executive Officer Arnel Tancinco said that if no major hitches are observed, full implementation—which means both the odd-even scheme and rerouting for public utility vehicles (PUVs) like jeepneys from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.—will be imposed starting Wednesday.
It will remain in effect until the P86.9-million flyover’s completion, estimated to take six months (not four months as earlier announced).
Tancinco said the two days will be enough for Citom enforcers to familiarize themselves with the odd-even scheme, which will be used for the first time in Cebu City.
Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north) also said additional measures will be adopted, if any are identified during the trial period.
Some residents have already asked for exemptions, saying they were being “punished” with the inconvenience brought by the construction and now the odd-even scheme, said City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, who received their complaints.
In an interview, he said the residents pointed out that they will be forced to take a longer route, which means spending extra on gas.
For example, a Ma. Luisa Subdivision resident like him who has some business at the Gaisano Country Mall, which is just on the next block, has to go all the way to Mandaue City through a circuitous route.
“I told Arnel (Tancinco) about it and he said it will be difficult to identify whether or not a particular resident is exempted,” Jakosalem said.
But, he added, that could be remedied by coming up with stickers, if such request will be granted by the Citom, the council and by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who also sits as Citom chairman.
If the rerouting is implemented, public transport operators and drivers are also bound to spend more for fuel because not all of the 600 PUJ units plying the Banilad-Talamban-downtown routes can use the two lanes available.
The contractor of the flyover will only close off two of the four-lane Gov. Cuenco Ave. from the Mahiga Bridge junction (by the Gaisano Country Mall) and behind the A.S. Fortuna St. intersection.
With a lane in each direction still open to traffic, 13C PUJs will be allowed to use them on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
PUJs plying the other Talamban routes will be diverted towards M.L. Quezon Ave. then to H. Cortes St. and to F. Cabahug St., straight to Cardinal Rosales Ave., then to their usual route in going to their destination.
In going back to Talamban while on Archbishop Reyes Ave., they will have to make a right turn to Juan Luna Ave., left turn to F. Cabahug St., left turn to H. Cortes St., left turn to M. L. Quezon Ave., right turn to J. Panis St., then to Talamban.
The situation is reversed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Jakosalem reminded residents, businessmen, drivers, PUV operators, school officials, Citom and Department of Public Works and Highways representatives, and concerned sectors of today’s 1 p.m. executive session at the City Council session hall.
Tancinco said he will attend the session, as it is the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Division that will monitor and supervise the scheme’s implementation.
He said WTG Construction and Development Corp. already delivered the required signage, which were put up in strategic places to aid motorists and commuters. (RHM)
