MOTORISTS and pedestrians flock to the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road to view and take photos after the first segment was opened on July 1 — prompting the city to closely monitor the area.
Head of Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) Dionisio Abude said on Monday, July 3, that they were already expecting an influx of people and motorists for the next few days.
The CTTMO has observed motorists and pedestrians stopping along the highway to take photos, and bystanders sitting on the railings, particularly along the Bolton, Talomo bridge portion of the coastal road.
“Gina-monitor nato na kay the whole road, naa’y tao. Paghawa sa atong mobile, naa na pud muhunong balik so i-monitor nato na hangtod sa mawala na sila na ginahimo sa atong mga motorista na muhonong sila,” Abude said.
(We are monitoring the people in the area. There are instances wherein after our mobile personnel leave, the motorists and pedestrians stop along the road again so we have to keep warning them until they leave.)
He added that their office has already deployed personnel roving the area to warn motorists and bystanders since their action can be deemed as road obstruction that can be dangerous.
On the other hand, the CTTMO is tightening traffic management along the junction of Tulip Drive and Ecoland Drive since traffic congestion was concentrated in this area, especially from the point of SM City Davao mall going to the coastal bypass road.
Abude said they have requested the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-Davao) to install additional street lights in the said area to help motorists traveling at night.
“(Also) ang Ecoland Drive and Tulip Drive, dapat ma-address ang mga road repairs dira. In fact, before nag open ang coastal road, nag butang ta og mga signages nga kung makita ninyo, naa’y tow away zone gikan diri sa may kanto Tulip paingon sa St. John Paul College II of Davao,” he said.
(The road repairs along Ecoland Drive and Tulip Drive should be addressed. In fact, we’ve put up signages along the road indicating a tow-away zone, particularly the corner of Tulip Drive going to St. John Paul College.)
The 7.241-kilometer segment of the coastal bypass road from Bago Aplaya to Times Beach was officially opened for traffic on July 1, with the inauguration led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, and DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
Abude reminded the public that skating is not allowed on the main highway while biking and jogging should be done within the bike lanes. (ICM)