Gwen junks traffic scheme on 2 bridges

Cebu - Citing the economic crunch, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia rejected the traffic scheme proposal of the traffic arms of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu Cities during the Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board meeting yesterday.

The Traffic Enforcement and Management of Mandaue City and the City Traffic Management Services of Lapu-Lapu City came up with a proposal to resort to the number-coding of private cars passing through the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

The traffic offices of the two cities have conducted a study on the number of cars that enters the first bridge. The outcome has prompted them to urge Garcia that a number-coding be implemented to prevent traffic jam on the said bridges, especially during peak hours.

Under the proposal, there will be a day in a week wherein private cars cannot pass by the said bridges.

Though she welcomed the proposal, Garcia, who is the MCBMB chairperson, said that there are “alternative routes other than resorting to the number-coding scheme.”

Garcia cited that cars coming from the airport and some parts of Lapu-Lapu City passing through the Marcelo Fernan Bridge should head for Plaridel Street in Mandaue City after the UN Avenue, then straight to Cebu City.

Meanwhile, six-wheeler trucks will be banned from using the first bridge.

The board met at the Capitol Social Hall and presented the status of the two bridges, updates on traffic measures being implemented there, maritime detachment report, and also discussed the financial status.

Garcia said that they have a total of P6.2 million funds from zero balance since July 1, 2004 when she became the chairperson of the MCBMB.

During the regular meeting of the board, the governor and the Integrated Security and Automatic Inc., signed a contract on the purchase of eight security cameras that will be installed on the two bridges as well as with the physical operating system that will monitor the rampant vandalism in there.

The gadgets cost P1.9 million payable within a month. Four security traffic cameras will be installed on each bridge.

It was also reported that Sulpicio Lines Incorporated donated two 20-footer container vans that will be used as the office of the traffic team that will monitor the security cameras. – Johanna Natavio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)