Brace for possible Ironman traffic

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management said traffic congestion will possibly be experienced in N. Bacalso Street, M.J. Cuenco Avenue, and Andres Soriano Avenue today, as the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines is set to take center stage today.

CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said that even if the city has not experienced traffic congestion during the last two occasions the Ironman event was held here, they should not be complacent.

Tumulak said that there will be 180 CITOM enforcers deployed in different streets today to assist motorists.

“Ready na ta, in place na ang atong traffic signages, in place na pud ang atong metal barrier. Mga 5 a.m. mag-implement nata sa road closure,” he said.

He said that the whole stretch of S. Osmeña Boulevard to South Coastal Road from the South Road Properties to up to the Talisay City corridor will be closed until noon for the race.

With this, all vehicles coming from south going to SM or to the north Area shall follow N. Bacalso Avenue, to P. del Rosario Street, to Imus New Road, then to the NRA.

Those from the north and going to the south area are advised to use the north road and M.J. Cuenco Avenue before proceeding to N. Bacalso Avenue.

“Maka-affect gyod siya sa atong transportation, kay ang mo-agi sa SRP dili naman makaagi, anhi naman sila sa N. Bacalso, maong naay possibility nga ma-traffic kana nga area,” Tumulak said.

All vehicles coming from the south and going to the NRA should avoid the SRP and instead use N. Bacalso Avenue and Imus New Road.

There will be installed metal railings and traffic signs to be followed by the motorists to prevent traffic problems, Tumulak said.

He said that there are four buses from the provincial government on standby at Legaspi Extension near Plaza Independencia to transport passengers to and from Piers 1 to 4.

“Dili mag-deploy og city buses kay regular man ang biyahe sa atong mga PUJs ug ang mga taxis,” he said.

He said that their past experiences holding the event showed no traffic congestion during the event, but only after the race.

With this, he advised motorists to plan their trips and make their appointments late today.

“Kinahanglan planohon ilang byahe unya dili nalang sad unta manglakaw labi na gyod magdala og sakyanan during sa start sa Ironman hangtod mahuman. Advice lang na ini’g after lang unta sa Ironman usa sila manglakaw,” he said.

The event starts at 6 a.m. and will conclude by 11 a.m.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)