Citom studying U-turn at Osmeña Blvd

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) will be implementing a 30-day experimental period allowing U-turn along Osmeña Boulevard.

The U-turn will be allowed particularly at the end of the center island near the Fuente Osmeña rotunda, right in front of Robinsons and the Metrobank area. Drivers can make a U-turn from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. only.

CITOM Board Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said that the idea was suggested by Ramoncito Arquiza, a member of the CITOM Board representing the private sector.

Jakosalem said that Arquiza has observed this practice in Manila and thought that it might also work in Cebu.

Arquiza is in the belief that allowing the U-turn along that stretch will allow motorists to save on fuel.

“The idea is to save fuel by allowing vehicles to make turns at night. Because he observed many U-turn slots in Manila for the same reason and times,” Jakosalem said.

During CITOM’s meeting last March 5, they approved Arquiza’s suggestion and immediately wrote the City Council to pass a resolution allowing the experimental period.

If the experiment turns out successful, Jakosalem said they might explore other thoroughfares where they can allow U-turn during off-peak hours.

CITOM has disallowed U-turn along the Osmeña Boulevard because it is one of the busy streets in Cebu. Allowing vehicles to make the turn would worsen the traffic in the area.

But during at night from 10 p.m. to early morning, there are fewer vehicles on the streets.

CITOM, in its resolution said that should there be any untoward accident during the implementation, the experimental period will be suspended and terminated automatically.

Jakosalem said that as soon as they receive a copy of the resolution passed by the Council approving the traffic scheme, they would implement it.  (FREEMAN)