Rama: Open South flyover to 2-way traffic

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to completely open to traffic the 420-meter newly built flyover in Barangay Mambaling starting Wednesday.

But City Traffic Operations Management chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said the flyover maybe opened only for south-bound traffic.

“Basta ang akong gusto nga ang flyover i-open na sa mga sakyanan in two lanes sugod Miyerkoles,” Rama said.

City Transportation Office chief Christopher Yap said that opening the flyover to two-way traffic is not yet feasible at this time based on the advise of the engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

This is because of the center post of the skywalk in front of the Mambaling Elementary School that needs to be removed first.

“Sa akong tan-aw kanang center post sa skywalk atubangan sa Mambaling Elementary School dili na kinahanglang kuhaon,” Rama said.

Engr. Willy T. Go, contractor of the flyover project, earlier explained that the center post of the skywalk should be removed to prevent accident because it can be hit by the speeding vehicles from the flyover.

Rama and DPWH officials will inspect the flyover this morning. Yap said the flyover maybe opened after the inspection. He is not however sure whether Rama’s suggestion to open it to two-way traffic will be implemented.

Although Yap said that for sure the flyover will be opened for south-bound vehicles, at the latest on Wednesday because they still need to complete the traffic signages.

The P210 million flyover project was constructed near the CIT University to ease traffic congestion along Natalio Bacalso Avenue.