Road dividers in Banilad removed

CEBU, Philippines -  To help decongest traffic in the northern corridor, the City Traffic Operations Management has pulled out concrete road barriers installed in the middle of the road in Banilad.

Mayor Michael Rama believes congestions on the Mariano Cuenco Avenue, or the so-called Banilad-Talamban road, would be minimized after the CITOM removed the road barriers.

Rama visited the area yesterday morning and has personally observed that the traffic situation was normal but he ordered CITOM chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem to assign more traffic enforcers to man the traffic there, particularly during peak hours.

The mayor explained that with the removal of the concrete road dividers, the vehicles can already use the opposite lane if the traffic there is not so busy.

According to Rama, he has observed that in the morning, there are more vehicles going to the city coming from Talamban and in some other northern barangays.

“Kon ang karsada dunay road barriers sa tunga unsaon man pag-agi sa sakyanan ngadto sa pikas nga lane, maayo man og maalsa ang sakyanan,” Rama said.

There are some motorists, however, that are afraid that some drivers will abuse now that the concrete road dividers were already pulled out by going to the opposite lane that may block the coming vehicles.

One of the major objectives why the road barriers were installed was to prevent the vehicles from crossing to the other side because it will obstruct the smooth flow of traffic.

Rama said he is also hoping that the government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will look for the needed funds to widen the narrow Mahiga Bridge because the area often becomes a bottle neck.

The Mariano Cuenco Avenue is one of the busiest roads in the city wherein more than 600 passenger jeepneys, private vehicles and other public vehicles pass going to the downtown area or going north.   (FREEMAN NEWS)