CEBU -- Motorists and commuters were advised to expect heavy traffic in Cebu City Friday afternoon, when both lanes of Osmeña Blvd. will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Sinulog launching parade.
By noon, the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) will close a portion of Osmeña Blvd. -- from the main entrance of the Basilica del Sto. Niño to the Fuente-Osmeña circle.
The road needs to be closed as several dancing contingents will join the launching of the cultural activities of the Sinulog.
Citom Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak asked the drivers to follow traffic advisories posted on the affected roads and take the alternative routes to minimize congestion.
“We are requesting our drivers, the passengers and all road users to follow traffic rules and the rerouting plan because we expect the roads to be congested during the Sinulog activities,” he said.
Traffic enforcers will also be deployed to the parade route and the alternative routes to guide the drivers and manage the traffic flow.
“Let’s all be patient and keep cool to avoid trouble on the road,” Tumulak said.
The affected roads will be opened as soon as the last contingent makes it inside the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
The kick-off activities will start with a mass at the basilica at 2 p.m., followed by the parade at 3 p.m.
Tumulak said they will also ask the Sinulog Foundation Inc. to advise them if there is a need to close the roads near CCSC again after the activity.
No barriers
Also on Thursday, January 8, Mayor Michael Rama asked Citom to remove barriers along the Sinulog grand parade route.
After inspecting the roads, Rama ordered the traffic office to remove concrete barriers on Gen. Maxilom Ave., the railings placed at the center of Fuente Osmeña and on P. del Rosario St. near the back gate of Cebu City Sports Center, which will serve as exit point for the contingents after performing inside the CCSC grandstand.
From Capitol, Lahug
According to the traffic plan, downtown-bound PUJs from Capitol and Lahug area will take V. Rama Ave. Those from Barangay Guadalupe and Banawa will also take V. Rama Ave., then right turn to Katipunan St., left turn to A. Lopez St. straight to Tres de Abril St., right turn to Carlock St., left turn to Tupas St. and straight to Magallanes St. and to Carbon area.
Going back, PUJ drivers will have to turn left to F. Gonzales St., left turn to Magallanes St., right turn to Borromeo St., left turn to Sanciangko St., right turn to Panganiban St., left turn to N. Bacalso Ave. then right turn to V. Rama Ave. and back to their point of origin in Capitol, Banawa and Barangays Lahug and Guadalupe.
From Ayala
PUJs coming from Ayala Center Cebu with route no. 14D will have to proceed to N. Bacalso St., left turn to Juana Osmeña St., right turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., left turn to F. Ramos St., to Junquera St. and left turn to Colon St.
Going back to Ayala, PUJs will turn right to Mabini St., right turn to V. Gullas St., right turn to Legaspi St., straight to Pelaez St., right turn to P. del Rosario St., left turn to Raintree Mall then proceed to Juana Osmeña St.
From Talamban
Those coming from Barangay Talamban passing Junquera St. and F. Ramos St. will turn left to Sikatuna St., straight to Mabini St., right turn to V. Gullas St., right turn to D. Jakosalem St., right turn to Colon St., right turn to D. Jakosalem St. and back to their point of origin.
From Basak
Passenger jeepneys coming from Basak, Pardo and Labangon passing P. del Rosario St. will turn right to V. Rama extension, left turn to Tres de Abril St., left turn to C. Padilla St., right turn to Panganiban St., left turn to Magallanes St. and left turn to Borromeo St.
Citom has also rerouted other passenger jeepneys coming from Urgello St., Barangay Mabolo and Mandaue City. (RVC/Sun.Star Cebu)