39th Milo Marathon: Public warned on closure of some roads tomorrow

CEBU, Philippines - Major thoroughfares in Cebu City will be closed for the 39th National Milo Marathon tomorrow, thus motorists and other road users are advised to avoid the track for the event.

The Cebu City Transportation Office is warning motorists to avoid the designated roads: Osmeña Boulevard, P. del Rosario Street, N. Escario Street and Gil Garcia Street, so as not to worsen any traffic congestion anticipated for the seven-hour long activity.

Instead of taking the closed lanes, private motorists are advised to traverse other accessible roads such as Colon Street, N. Bacalso Avenue, and Cebu South Coastal Road.

CCTO Operations Division Head Jonathan Tumulak said drivers can travel earlier than the time when the roads will be closed or after the allotted time when the roads will be opened again.

The identified lanes will be closed at 3 a.m. while traffic enforcers will fully reopen the areas at around 10 a.m.

“We are really expecting heavy traffic on Sunday. They should avoid the affected roads. They can take an early drive or they can travel right after the event,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday.

Further, CCTO will deploy at least 150 personnel to assist, direct and control traffic flow along the designated routes as well as the arterial roads that may be affected, wherein around 27,000 participants from different localities are expected to join.

“This is a collaborative effort of the operation, engineering, planning and communication divisions of CCTO. Rest assured, traffic management plan is laid out for better traffic flow, especially at the break of dawn when vehicles will already be out in the streets,” said CCTO Executive Director Rey Gealon.

Private vehicle users from V. Rama Avenue may access Maria Cristina St. in going to Ayala.

Meanwhile, public utility vehicle drivers, who have already been briefed on the rerouting, are also advised to follow the traffic signs installed on the re-routing areas.

PUJs coming from Guadalupe and Banawa shall take V. Rama Ave., left to J. Alcantara St. or N. Bacalso Ave., left turn to P. del Rosario St., right turn to Osmeña Blvd. then to their usual route going to Carbon Area. In going back, they shall follow the same route going to V. Rama Ave., then back to their point of origin.

The PUJs from Barangay Lahug and Apas via N. Escario St. shall turn right to F. Sotto St., right turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., left turn to F. Ramos St., right turn to Junquera St., right turn to Sanciangko St., then to their usual route. Going back to their destination, they shall follow the same route of PUJ’s from Lahug via General Maxilom Ave. then back to their point of origin.

For PUJs (12L route), when going to Ayala, they shall go straight to P. del Rosario St., left turn to D. Jakosalem St., left turn to Echavez Ext., right turn to F. Ramos St., right turn to Gen. Maxilom Ave., then to their usual route.? — (FREEMAN)