Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Public asked to bear with closure of road
MOTORISTS and commuters affected by the closure of the road across the Cebu City Hall Legislative Building are asked to bear the inconvenience for a few more weeks.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he still has to meet with the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) and the contractor, and could not give an exact date when the road will be reopened and the public utility jeepney (PUJ) reroutings lifted.
The City is doing “landscaping work” of the Rizal Park in front of the City Hall up to the Magellan’s Park across the legislative building.
The Philippine Tourism Authority gave P15 million to the City to spruce up the park and for furniture and fixtures of the legislative building.
Of the amount, P10 million went to the park. The City is also improving the drainage system around City Hall.
Contractor’s promise
Since Monday, traffic has been heavier than usual in outlying streets as the Citom directed vehicles away from the 25-meter portion of the road.
Commuters were even forced to walk to reach the City Hall since it saves time compared to waiting for the PUJs to move.
Also, Rama said the contractor promised that the flagpole will be ready for the Feb. 24 Charter Day flag-raising ceremony even though landscaping will not be finished yet.
Rama said the contractor agreed to work “double time” or even 24 hours a day so the closed portion of Magallanes St. could be used again as soon as possible.
He said the road will be opened once the landscaping is finished since the plan to close it permanently to preserve the park is “already a closed matter.”
“We need so many roads for use by the people,” he said.
Instead, he proposed the demolition of structures on M.C. Briones St. and obstructions at the Carbon Public Market area for better traffic flow.
He said he was glad Citom enforcers were present to keep traffic as orderly as possible. (RHM)
