Cebu City's flyovers called useless, ugly

CEBU, Philippines - Some travel agents and hotel executives in Cebu are not pleased to see more flyovers in the city saying these do not help solve traffic problems.

National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Cebu chapter chairman Jenny Franco of TravelVision and Hotel, Resorts and Restaurant Association of Cebu President Hans Hauri of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu aired the same observation in yesterday’s 888 News Forum.

“The flyover is not bad at all if they made it properly,” Franco said when asked about the proposed construction of two flyovers in uptown Cebu City.

Franco explained that flyovers here are very narrow and there is no space for the transportation to pull over just in case a fire truck or an ambulance needs to get through.

She cited an incident when a jeepney broke down in the middle of the flyover that caused heavy traffic as there was no space for the jeepney to move.

“That is the problem of our flyovers. Aside from it being so ugly,” Franco said.

Franco cited that developed cities like Beijing are getting rid of flyovers and are widening their roads with the provision of a safety lane for emergency purposes.

“Our flyover here is really a joke,” she said.

Hauri on the other hand likened traffic in Metro Cebu to a balloon and putting a flyover to squeezing it. The air does not disappear, it just goes to the other side of the balloon.

Hauri cited the Banilad flyover that, while, lessening traffic congestion along corner AS Fortuna Street, causes chaos in the Talamban area.

“The flyovers have certain usefulness provided the construction is integrated in a long-term plan of solving traffic problems and not just one solution because it’s in the district of the Congress person,” Hauri said.

The two executives shared the sentiment of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who earlier said the widening of roads is more pressing than to have more flyovers.

Late last month, the Banilad–Talamban Traffic Task Force headed by Rama also passed a resolution against the building of more flyovers in the City, as proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar allocated P300 million each for two proposed flyovers that are aimed to decongest traffic at the intersection of M.J. Cuenco and Gen. Maxilom avenues and the intersection of Gorordo and Archbishop Reyes avenues. – (FREEMAN)