DPWH may allow flyover's opening

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways may agree to the move to open to traffic the newly constructed flyover in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City even before the widening of side roads.

City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem told The FREEMAN that during a CITOM board meeting yesterday, a DPWH representative said DPWH regional director Pedro Herrera may allow the use of the P110 million flyover days from now.

“They will closely coordinate with CITOM to open the flyover, on partial basis, even before phase 2 project starts. This may be done as early as Holy Week, but partial lang maybe just one way south-bound because the center pillar of the skywalk in front of Mambaling Elementary School is dangerous for the north-bound,” Jakosalem said.

Engr. Willy T. Go, the contractor of the flyover project, said the center post of the skywalk should be removed to prevent accident because it can be hit by speeding vehicles once the flyover is operational.

DPWH-7 officials earlier said that the flyover will be used only after the widening of the side roads.

But there are efforts to open the flyover to traffic because a delay in its opening will contribute to traffic congestion in that area, particularly during the start of classes.

“Phase 2 project will really take six months to finish but now DPWH has agreed, due to public clamor, that the flyover can be opened partially, as soon as the safety measures as in place because Director Herrera is highly concern on safety aspect,” Jakosalem added. — (FREEMAN)