Center island along SRP to be removed

CEBU, Philippines- The center island along the whole stretch of the South Road Properties will be removed starting this week in order to decongest the projected slow traffic in the area when SM seaside will open by the end of the year.

This was disclosed by Cebu City Transportation Office Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak after their meeting with the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works and the city’s Parks and Playgrounds yesterday.

“Ang purpose gyod ani kay para palapad sa dalan ug in preparation sa pag-open sa SM seaside and operate sa mga establishment sud mismo sa SRP. Mao ni atong initial nga move para pag paluag sa traffic dihang dapita,” he said.

Tumulak said removing the one-meter wide center island will address the projected traffic congestion in the area since the opening of SM Seaside will include the operation of High-Quality Public Transport System (HQPTS).

“Ang atong i-remove ang sa center island gikan sa SM Seaside to C. Padilla street. Ato pang kuhaon kon pila gyoy length ani niya,” he said.

Tumulak also assured that the flow of traffic would not be hampered when they start removing the center island.

“Dili kaayo kay gamay raman ang tangtangon. Once ma remove, molapad ang dalan. Walay i-sirado nga dalan and atong pabantayan sa atong CCTO nga personnel para sa traffic sa area,” he said.

Further, Mayor Michael Rama said the city does not need center island along the road.

 “(The removal of the center island) is part of what is ought to be done,” he said.

Rama mentioned that the HQPTS would cause additional volume of vehicles that will traverse the area.

The proposed HQPTS route would be from Talisay City to Mambaling in Cebu City, Talisay City to the North Reclamation Area, Talisay City to the MCIA, and the Cebu North Bus Terminal at the NRA to Mambaling. The HQPTS is seen to accommodate a maximum of 1.35 million passengers a week.

He said the “hybrid” buses to be used in the HQPTS will traverse through SRP and would be an interim transport to supplement the Bus Rapid Transit system, which would be operational by 2018.

With the removal of the center island, Tumulak said the city will address the removal of the electrical posts placed on it.

Michael Manolito Briones, administrative aide of Parks and Playgrounds, said there is no need to secure earthballing permits from Department of Environment and Natural Resources since they will only be removing ornamental plants.

At least 121 palm trees were identified by the Parks and Playgrounds, among other plants, in the center island.

Briones said it will be transferred at Block 27 at the NRA.

He said they could finish the earthballing of the plants in three days, which would end in Thursday while the removal of center island will immediately follow.

After the removal of the center island, DEPW will asphalt the area and will be putting solid line markings.  (FREEMAN)