Pocket lanes to help solve traffic problem

CEBU, Philippines - At least 10 supplementary pocket lanes will be placed along the Banilad-Talamban corridor to eliminate the general flow of traffic in the area.

Cebu City Traffic Operations Management Executive Director Rafael Yap identified the areas across Gaisano Country Mall; beside University of Cebu-Banilad; triangle property along J. Panis Street; province-owned property in Cebu Country Club; Aboitiz Corporate Center; the stretch from Paradise Village to TESDA flyover for the areas where the pocket lanes would be set up.

“The pocket lanes are major drawers for vehicular traffic near commercial and education establishments. This will help regulate the flow of traffic,” Yap said.

The creation of pocket lanes stemmed from the suggestion of some government agencies and affected stakeholders in BanTal area during yesterday’s meeting, which was attended by the school and subdivision owners, businessmen, some barangay and city officials, affected commuters, and Department of Public Works and Highways.

Other suggestions to solve the traffic congestion in the area which Mayor Michael Rama considers as doable are to intensify CITOM visibility; install additional traffic lights; construction of skywalks for pedestrians and for USC-Talamban; two lanes under the flyover in Salinas Drive and Ayala area; clustered pocket lanes, among others.

“These are achievable if the public/private, professional or not, dunay discipline and cooperation.  Ayaw mo sige og salig sa city government because this is also your challenge (city constituents),” Rama said.

Also discussed in the meeting was the on-the-spot induction of 18 members of the BanTal Traffic Management Board headed by Bunny Pages with members from Talamban, Banilad, Kasambagan barangay officials, Land Transportation Office, Cebu City Police Office, CITOM, and more.

“Gather the whole together and pressure the national government and DPWH to do something about BanTal area like widening of the road. On our part, we will do our best to help solve this problem (heavy traffic) because everybody is affected,” Pages said.

In addition, Rama directed utility companies to remove all posts blocking the city’s sidewalks.

“If you will not do your job, the mayor will bring a chainsaw and cut your posts,” Rama warned.

Rama also mentioned the need to draft an Executive Order covering all major thoroughfares in the city to attain “clear and clean streets” leading towards two international events – the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation next year and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016, —/ATO (FREEMAN)