Tunnel open for light vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Even before its formal inauguration, all light vehicles may now use, during peak hours, the tunnel that passes under Plaza Independencia to link the South Coastal Road and the Mc Arthur Boulevard.

Officials of the Cebu City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 decided to open the tunnel to all light vehicles to help decongest traffic in Mambaling, where a flyover is being constructed.

Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, chairman of the City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), said the tunnel will be opened from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Ato ni nga himoon aron nga maminus-minus ang problema sa trapiko atol sa pagbukas sa klase,” Jakosalem said. (Let’s do this to ease the traffic problem, especially since classes will open soon.)

While cargo trucks are allowed to use the South Coastal Road, they are not yet allowed entry to the tunnel. This is because the installation of exhaust fans at the tunnel, to bring out the carbon dioxide fumes, has yet to be completed.

According to Jakosalem, the cargo trucks can still use the entrance of the South Road Properties at D. Jakosalem St. near the Cebu City Hall, if they wish to proceed to the South Coastal Road, and use the exit at M.C. Briones St.

The tunnel will be closed to motorists during Saturdays and Sundays so personnel of Kajima Construction can do the “finishing touches.”

Engineers of Kajima Construction, the contractor of the underground tunnel, and the DPWH 7 officials met with Jakosalem yesterday to discuss solutions to the traffic congestion near the Mambaling flyover project and the City Hall area.

The twin box tunnel is expected to solve the traffic problem within the vicinity of Plaza Independencia for vehicles heading to and from the South Coastal Road, particularly those passing the M.J. Cuenco Avenue. Planners saw to it that the construction of the P1.3 billion-tunnel will not destroy the historical, century-old plaza, a tourist attraction in Cebu City.   (FREEMAN NEWS)