CONSULTANTS for the Integrated and Intermodal Transport System were told to work first on the traffic signalization system before working on the infrastructure for transport facilities.
Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino issued the directive after they inspected the site for the common station that will soon be constructed in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City for the Bus Rapid Transit, Monorail Transit and cable car systems.
It was during Tugade’s visit that Land Transportation Office 7 Director Victor Caindec told the two officials about the P590-million traffic signalization system proposal for the more than 80 intersections in Cebu City.
But this was set aside in favor of the P700-million underpass project in Barangay Mambaling.
Caindec said the construction of the underpass was a waste of public funds. The money would have been better spent upgrading Cebu City’s traffic lights.
“So, I told Tugade and Dino that while we are making detailed engineering designs for mass transit in Cebu, the agencies concerned should refrain from excavation without traffic signalization of traffic,” Caindec said.
He also pointed out that before the underpass project was implemented, N. Bacalso Ave. had six lanes. It now has four lanes: two above ground and two under.
He said the underpass was a project of former mayor Tomas Osmeña and South District Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa. (EOB)