DESPITE the flak they drew from motorists, Mandaue City’s traffic managers will continue to implement the new traffic scheme at the United Nations (U.N.) Ave. after it proved to have eased congestion on the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
The continued implementation of the traffic scheme was backed by the Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board (MCBMB).
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, MCBMB chairperson, said that amid criticisms on social media, the new scheme had eased vehicular congestion, especially along Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
Earlier, the governor said there is a need to ease traffic on U.N. Ave. so as not to give arriving tourists from the Mactan Cebu International Airport a bad impression of Cebu due to heavy traffic.
Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) Executive Director Florentino Nimor Jr. said, though, that they will have to make some adjustments in the two-phase traffic scheme.
Buses and trucks using the Cansaga Bridge will now be allowed to pass through D.M. Cortes St. again at an interval of less than one minute.
Light vehicles that use the Cansaga Bridge going to Cebu City will continue to turn right to U.N. Ave. before turning left at P. Burgos St. at the back of Pacific Mall.
A dry run was held starting Sept. 22, 2019 to test the viability of the two-way traffic scheme.
Since then, motorists traveling to northern Cebu from D.M. Cortes St. via the Cansaga Bridge have to take the U-turn slot under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge before turning right to Cansaga.
Buses and other northbound vehicles coming from the Cebu North Bus Terminal also take the U-turn slot under the bridge instead of taking a left turn toward Pacific Mall to avoid congestion.
Those heading to Cebu City via Cansaga Bridge, on the other hand, had to turn right to U.N. Ave. They then headed to P. Burgos St., turned left to to A.C. Cortes St. and proceeded to D.M. Cortes St.
Nimor said he is giving the new scheme another week before he recommends its full implementation. (RTF)