No need for flyovers: Group submits traffic proposal

CEBU, Philippines - The Movement for Livable Cebu is set to submit its proposal for alternative solutions to address the worsening traffic conditions at Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City that would not require the building of vehicle overpasses.

The MLC presented yesterday to the media some details of the study that covered several area.

Among the areas included are the junction of Arch. Reyes Ave., Gorordo Ave. and F. Sotto St., where a vehicle overpass or flyover is proposed to be built.

Other areas included in the study are the M. J. Cuenco Ave. and Banilad area as well as Gen. Maxilom Ave. to Fuente Osmeña and the very busy intersection of Gorordo Ave. and Salinas Drive in Lahug.

The MLC claims that it was commissioned by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson in a meeting last October 26 to undertake a study of alternative sustainable solutions to address the worsening traffic conditions.

MLC coordinator Joel Lee said that they will present to Singson the proposal for a technically redesigned Gorordo Avenue to realize the concept of a livable city.

The study is aimed towards providing more mobility and access for people as opposed to cars.

It also aims to provide alternative modes of transport such as the mass transit system; more on intersection design; provision of sidewalks; bike lanes and parks.

The group also presented yesterday models of intersections in some big cities in other countries using flared intersections.

“Puro flared intersection ang gigamit unya nganong kita sige man ta pamugos anang flyover nga obsolete naman na,” Lee said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

In a statement, the group said, “if given enough time and resources, the study can go further, beyond this present scope.”

The scope of the study had to be expanded beyond Gorordo Avenue because the groups said, “solutions to traffic problems cannot be taken in isolation and must consider the interrelated flow and effects throughout the network of streets surrounding it and even beyond.”

The MLC noted that these proposals are merely concepts and would require further integration with land use planning, economic forecasts, legislation, the environment, and other component parts of a Comprehensive Metropolitan Development Plan.

The MLC also proposes that all legal processes shall be complied with before any project will be undertaken.

“There are cost-effective environment-friendly solutions to traffic problems. There is no reason to construct expensive flyovers in this part of Cebu,” it said.

Earlier, the MLC expressed disappointment over the action of the Infrastructure Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas, which voted against the findings and recommendations of the Technical Working Group (TWG) that rejected the two flyover projects in Cebu City.

“Can they actually say no to this TWG report and drop it as if it has no value,” Lee asked yesterday.

“Unsa man ni siya, does it mean nga pwede hilumon ang sakto, for me this is no longer about flyover or traffic, this is now power struggle,” Lee said.

Option Eyed

Environment lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said that if the action continues, there is always petition to be filed in the Supreme Court.

Estenzo said that “DPWH has been transformed to an open agency” and she believes “it would not back track from its original position.”

The MLC lauded DPWH and City Traffic Operations and Management (CITOM) their extensive cooperation in the study.

The TWG earlier recommended that the RDC request DPWH to reconsider its previous approval of the flyovers, including all other planned and approved ones within Metro Cebu.

The controversial twin flyover projects that would cost P600 million has been the subject of a lot of debate particularly the one proposed at Gororodo Ave.

Former Rep. Raul del Mar and his daughter Rep. Rachel ‘Cutie’ del Mar, who have been responsible in getting the funding for such projects have been pushing them as a solution to the traffic situation in the area.

Several groups have also supported the projects. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)