Underpass to open June, expected to ease traffic

CEBU, Philippines — Once operational by mid-June, the underpass project along Natalio Bacalso Avenue will alleviate the traffic in the south district of Cebu City, according to the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO).

By then, the public can already heave a sigh of relief after a year and nine months of bracing the horrendous traffic in the south.

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano told The FREEMAN that as they monitored the traffic flow earlier when it was temporarily opened for two days, they had observed that it would decongest the city’s main thoroughfares.

The underpass, which will be accessible to private vehicles, will lessen the traffic volume that will use the main highway.

As planned, the public utility jeepneys (PUJs) will utilize the northbound and southbound side roads, while private vehicles will access the underpass lanes.

“Ma-segregate na ang sakyanan, kung maka-decide na sila, ang going sa north ari sa tunnel or sa side roads. Same sa going sa south or ang uban ngari sa F. Llamas. Dako gyud kaayo siya og ikatabang in terms of kanang naa’y laing access,” Ouano said.

He added that before the underpass was constructed, the volume of vehicles and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) are concentrated along N. Bacalso Avenue, specifically near the F. Llamas intersection.

But before the official opening of the underpass, the CCTO will hold a dry run to further observe the traffic flow.

Ouano said they will coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 for possible new traffic scheme in the south district.

Earlier, the CCTO wrote a letter to DPWH-7 on this matter. But no date yet has been set for their meeting.

Among their discussion points include whether to allow buses and mini buses to utilize the underpass. At present, they access Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

“Inig open na siguro sa underpass makaingon gyud ta nga mas mo-ease pa ang traffic sa Mambaling area. Atong i-discuss pa ang kaning mga buses kung angay paba gihapon ba nila pasudlon diha,” Ouano said. (FREEMAN)