Access road opening seen to ease Ban-Tal traffic woes

CEBU, Philippines - Traffic congestion on the Banilad-Talamban (Ban-Tal) corridor, especially during peak hours, is expected to improve once the Camp Lapu-Lapu access road in Barangay Apas is opened to the public, Cebu City’s transport office chief said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has already asked the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to come up with the ideal time to open the access road.

As of now, the office is still updating the travel time study conducted two years ago to identify the hours of the day when Ban-Tal traffic congestion is at its worst, said CCTO head Rafael Christopher Yap.

"Previously, nagbuhat mi’g travel time study didto but I don't have the results and we will just update it if there's new development. We will submit it to mayor as soon as possible," Yap said.

Yap, however, said the office supports the move to open the Camp Lapu-Lapu access road to motorists as it would reduce congestion in the corridor.

The Ban-Tal corridor of Cebu City is defined as the roadway between Asilo de Milagrosa Church on Gorordo Avenue through Governor M.J. Cuenco Avenue until the junction fronting the Barangay Talamban gym.

The area is identified as one of the city’s “busiest commercial, educational and residential areas.”

If he had it his way, Yap said he will recommend that the access road be opened from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

"But in the case of Ban-Tal, especially during night, ang traffic di ra kutob og 7 p.m., mo-go beyond na. We want to update our information first before we will ask pareha yesterday (Friday), taas-taas to ang volume sa Ban-Tal," he said.

He said the recommendation will be submitted to Osmeña next week.

Earlier, Major General Oscar Lactao, commanding officer of Armed Forces of the Philippines' Central Command, agreed to open the access road during peak hours to lessen traffic congestion along the Ban-Tal corridor, according to Osmeña. —/JMD (FREEMAN)