Citom opposes flyover projects

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Board has finally come up with an official stand on the planned construction of flyover projects at Gorordo-Archbishop Reyes Avenues in barangay Camputhaw and at M.J. Cuenco and General Maxilom Avenues in barangay Carreta.

During their meeting last Wednesday, the CITOM Board headed by former councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem spent enough time discussing the issue and came up with a unified stand to object the implementation of the P600-million twin projects initiated by Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar.

Jakosalem explained that CITOM is objecting to the construction of the two flyover projects because even the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted that their traffic study concerning the proposed infrastructure projects did not take into consideration the traffic impact on adjacent intersections.

The CITOM Board is supporting the suggestion of Mayor Michael Rama that the widening of M.J. Cuenco Avenue within the vicinity of barangay Hipodromo to barangay Mabolo should be implemented ahead of the construction of the flyover.

Jakosalem explained that on the proposed Carreta flyover, all the vehicles coming from the north will queue at the traffic light at the corner of New Imus Road, which is only approximately 50 meters away from the approach of the flyover.

Vehicles from the south would also experience similar problem when they reach the entrance of barangay Hipodromo and at the Mindanao Drive, the road going to Cebu Business Park, because several vehicles are turning left in that road.

“It would not be good transportation policy to limit these movements due to the creation of the flyover since transportation must complement land use and vice versa,” the CITOM Board members said.

CITOM officials also explained that even with the construction of flyover projects in Gorordo Avenue, the vehicles coming out from the flyover and going to the south will also experience traffic upon reaching the corner of Cardinal Rosales Avenue and another at the corner of Gorordo and Maxilom Avenues.

“It is also important to note that pedestrian crossing to the Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion will be very hazardous considering the uncontrolled movement of vehicles using the flyover. Hence the proposed flyovers will not be only extremely inefficient compared to its cost but will also be the wrong solution,” Jakosalem said.

According to the CITOM officials, the arguments of DPWH that the money has already been secured and must be spent is a disservice to taxpayers who have a right to expect their money to be spent correctly for projects that are beneficial and will promote, not hamper, development.

Jakosalem said the Carreta flyover will have a better chance of succeeding only if they widen M.J. Cuenco - Mabolo first.

He added that while DPWH officials assured they would widen the roadsides of the flyovers, the DPWH failed to comply with their promise to widen the roadsides of the flyover project in Archbishop Reyes Avenue-Escario Street in barangay Luz. —(FREEMAN)