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CEBU CITY—The
Department of Public Works said Thursday the
construction of the controversial flyover project in
uptown Cebu City, objected to by businesses in the area
will start February 1.
District engineer Nicomedes Leonor said
construction of the P150-million Banilad flyover could
last seven to nine months, depending on the weather.
Part of the project has also been awarded to the
contractor.
In order to minimize traffic
disturbance, traffic managers had proposed an odd-even
traffic scheme, according to Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem.
He added it would need approval from the city council.
The odd-even scheme will only be
implemented from the vicinity of the Mahiga Bridge to
the Banilad barangay hall, since only two outer lanes
out of the road’s four lanes can be used during the
construction period.
Vehicles with license plates ending in
odd numbers may pass through the project area Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays; and those ending in even numbers
may pass on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The road
will be open to all vehicles on Sundays.
Owners and managers of businesses in the
vicinity of the project oppose the flyover, saying it
would be an eyesore and would block access to their
establishments, and they lament the temporary closure of
the section of Gov. Cuenco Avenue to make way for the
construction.
Residents of housing developments in
northern Cebu City welcome, however, the flyover, saying
it would smoothen their travel to the city center.
Rep. Raul del Mar, whose priority
development-assistance fund finances the project,
deferred its implementation until after the “Sinulog”
festival in order not to worsen traffic.
DPWH planners assured city councilors on
Wednesday that Gov. Cuenco Avenue would not be totally
closed during the construction period. At least one of
the outer lanes would be left open to traffic.
The Gov. Cuenco and Archbishop Reyes
avenues are two of Cebu City’s busiest streets serving
as the main feeder roads to several malls including
Ayala Center-Cebu, Gaisano Country Mall and
Banilad Town Center,
several universities, primary schools and residential
villages.
DPWH and traffic officials went to the
Cebu City Council on Wednesdays to brief councilors on
the traffic plan during the construction period. As
requested by Vice Mayor and presiding officer Michael
Rama, the briefing was behind closed doors; he worried
there could be adverse reactions from critics of the
project. |
