CSF traffic lights at St. Jude junction now operational

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- After four years, the traffic signal lights at the St. Jude junction portion of MacArthur Highway along barangays San Agustin and Dolores are now functional.

On Tuesday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the City Public Order and Safety Coordinating Office (CPOSCO) of San Fernando turned on the signal lights.

Louie Clemente of POSCO said the traffic lights at the major thoroughfare are still on dry run and monitoring to allow the DPWH and the city government to make the necessary adjustments and time intervals.

"We are still on a dry run and monitoring so we can make the necessary time intervals on the traffic lights. As our motorists will see, these have timers and sensors as well as CCTVs will be installed soon by the DPWH," he added.

Clemente explained that it took some time to fix the traffic lights, which went off in 2019 due to budget constraints.

"Fortunately now, the DPWH has a budget for these imported traffic lights. After this, the traffic lights at the Sindalan portion will be repaired and the DPWH is targeting to finish the repair of all non-functional traffic lights in the city by October this year," Clemente added.

He said the city traffic enforcers will monitor vehicular traffic and compliance.

"We understand that there is a transition period. Many motorists got used to having traffic lights here, which is why many were surprised and were not aware that the traffic lights are now functional. Actually, when they were switched, several vehicles were flagged down for beating the red light. But they were not issued tickets but simply informed by our personnel about the traffic signals and compliance to existing traffic rules," Clemented said.

As to the maintenance of the traffic lights, he said the city government headed by Mayor Vilma Caluag will enter a memorandum of agreement with the DPWH.

"That is according to the Mandanas ruling and devolution. The agreement will be entered into after the Sangguniang Panlunsod passes the proper resolution authorizing the mayor. The agreement will include, aside from the turnover of the infrastructure, maintenance and training our personnel on the technical aspects, Clemente said.

He added that along with the repair of traffic lights, the city government, through the CPOSCO, will conduct road clearing operations along major thoroughfares to enhance traffic flow and avert gridlocks.

"Even with all these, we encourage motorists to observe traffic laws and discipline in the city," he said.