To give way for repairs CSCR tunnel to be closed

CEBU, Philippines — The northbound lane of the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) tunnel will be temporarily closed for seven hours starting 10 p.m. of February 1.

Yesterday, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) has announced the road closure through its official Facebook account.

The traffic authority decided to close the northbound lane to traffic in order to allow the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 to inspect the damaged jet blower in the tunnel.

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said DPWH-7 may repair the jet fan, if necessary.

The engineering office has to repair the dilapidated jet blower so that it can function well.

The jet blowers or jet fans are established to maintain a pleasant and safe driving environment by discharging pollutants, such as carbon monoxide from the tunnel.

Before the CCTO approved the request of DPWH for road closure, they reviewed it making sure that the closure would not cause severe inconvenience to the motorists.

Ouano told reporters that the road closure would not affect the traffic flow because there are less vehicles passing in the area at that period of time.

But all northbound vehicles are directed to access F. Vestil Street, then to the main thoroughfares of Barangay Mambaling.

“Atong paablihan temporarily ang F. Vestil St. para maka-left turn sila. But atoa ng i-close og balik after sa alas 5 sa buntag,” Ouano said.

He also said there would be at least six traffic aides that will be deployed in the area to guide the drivers about the temporary traffic scheme.

The traffic enforcers have two shifts which are from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The CCTO’s traffic mobile patrol will also roam around the area to assist the traffic aides in monitoring the traffic situation.

Ouano advised the public to follow the traffic rules to avoid untoward problems to occur.

“Mangandam nalang sila nga anhi nalang sila sa Mambaling agi kay naa lagi ta’y giayo kay nagpahibaw sila nga piligroso, giayo para hamugaway ang pag-agi nila,” he said. (FREEMAN)