New traffic scheme in Consolacion town

CEBU, Philippines —  To help ease the traffic in Consolacion, the municipal government is implementing a "No Left Turn and No Crossing" policy in some of the road intersections starting this week.

Mayor Joannes Alegado announced the new policy on his Facebook account.

Alegado’s announcement states that a "No left turn or right turn only" will be strictly observed for SM-Laray intersections. No crossing of roads will also be implemented from Laray (Francis Burton Harrison Avenue) to Mountain Hi-Way and vice versa.

For Lamac intersection, no left turn policy for vehicles from Cebu City to Lamac will be implemented. The same policy will apply for vehicles coming from Liloan town to corner Maglasang road.

The following areas have been identified as temporary U-Turn slots---Ultramart/ Shell Area and Rose Pharmacy Pitogo Area. 

“From Cebu City to SM Consolacion please use the U-Turn Areas at Mendero Medical Center or Rose Pharmacy Pitogo. No Left turn will be implemented on all the entrance gates of SM Consolacion for vehicles north bound,” Alegado added.

Earlier, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met with Alegado, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco, and DPWH -7 Director Edgar Tabacon to discuss the new policy to address the traffic congestion especially that volume of vehicles are expected to increase during the holiday season.

During the meeting the officials agreed that vehicles will have to proceed to the designated U-turn slots to avoid causing traffic congestion.

 “Usa or duha ra ka sakyanan nga mo-U turn daghan kaayo ang ma-stall. Maghuwat nang ubang sakyanan, ga-bumper to bumper na, kay moagad man kanus-a maka-U turn nang usa or duha ka sakyanan. It doesn’t make sense,” the governor was quoted in a Sugbo News report.

It was also agreed to give pedestrians thirty seconds to cross the street. This will be done by installing traffic signal countdown timers.

Alegado said the new policy would have been effective today, but they decided to move the implementation later this week to give everyone more time to know and get familiar with the new scheme. — FPL (FREEMAN)