Sidewalk extension, asphalting along CBRT route soon

CEBU, Philippines — New traffic plans are now being put in place as a feature of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project, which was not made known to Cebu City’s Road Management Authority early on, will be rolled out soon.

In a news forum last Tuesday, Attorney Kent Jongoy, RMA assistant head, said they are currently gearing up for the traffic plan in relation to the new feature of the Phase 1 of CBRT which is called "Link to the Port” that includes extending the sidewalks.

The Link to the Port will start from the intersection of P. Del Rosario, a portion of the Osmeña Boulevard until the section of MJ Cuenco right in front of the Plaza Independencia.

According to Jongoy, the contractor has already requested for a temporary road closure, which he said could have a major traffic impact since it includes two lanes per way. That means the Osmeña Boulevard will be reduced from three to one lane per way.

"Kay atong i-extend ang atong sidewalk so that is in line with the directive of the mayor to pedestrianize the whole historical district sa atong Osmeña Boulevard which also includes the vicinity of the Basilica," said Jongoy.

According to Jongoy, the contractor will need at least a month to complete the construction since aside from extending the sidewalk, they will also be making a new pavement for the new asphalted road.

Jongoy admitted that they were surprised by the construction of the Link to the Port, saying that this was not discussed to them last year by the DOTr, as well as by the contractor when they first requested for road closures.

"So kami sa amo-a, we would like to adopt the principle of public transportation which is calming of the traffic. Ang pangutana diha karon, how can we calm the people when they try to send request for road closures when pila, days, less than a week?" said Jongoy.

Jongoy also said that they are hopeful that the DOTr could apprise the RMA on the significance of this new feature of the CBRT, saying that the people wouldn't want the construction to stop but rather just want to be fully informed.

He noted that they now try to urge the contractor to only implement road closures in the evenings, which is stated in principle in the city ordinance on the guidelines of construction.

"According to the contractor, doable kuno because they are going to scrape off the existing asphalt and put the new asphalt road but sa amoa," said Jongoy.

In line with this, Jongoy said they would want to gradually ease the traffic when the construction begins soon, and that they would want to implement the project by segment to be able to open new diversion routes for the PUVs.

Jongoy, however, admitted that it will be challenging for them to implement, adding that they are in constant communication with the PUV drivers considering that they are the most affected when the project starts. — /ATO (FREEMAN)