Shortened route to lessen Ironman's traffic impact

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City government has released a new and shortened route for the biking course of this year’s Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships.

With the condensed route and the event taking place on a weekend, August 5, it will be easy for the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue to manage the traffic repercussions of the triathlon, said TEAM operations chief Glenn Antigua.

From Lapu-Lapu City, the bikers will turn left to D.M. Cortes Street and pass through Zuellig Avenue. The bike relay will be done in three loops, at least 30 kilometers each to achieve the 90-kilometer relay.

This year, road closures will start at 4 a.m. and the cut-off time will be until 12:30 noon. Beyond that, bikers still on the road will be told to stop using the streets as they will open again to the public at 1 p.m., according to Antigua.

“Mahug ra siya’g regular day. Walay trabaho at that time kay Sunday,” he added.

The two lanes of the Ouano Avenue at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) on the side of Mandaue City will be opened starting on July 30 for motorists going to and from Cebu City in preparation for Ironman.

“Akong gihangyo ang WT Construction nga kung mahimo, a month before sa Ironman, ma-open nila ang first phase (sa Ouano Avenue),” Antigua said.

Ouano Avenue is presently undergoing rehabilitation works by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Di na ta magproblema kay naa na tay alternative road sa Cebu City. Ang atong Ouano Avenue dili na ma-affected sa Ironman,” Antigua said.

Other motorists will also have the option to pass by the highway in Barangay Guizo (along San Miguel Corp. and Caltex) to avoid traffic at the NRA.

Antigua assured the public that TEAM personnel will be deployed along the bike route.

He said he has yet to decide whether TEAM would respond to Lapu-Lapu City’s request for extra traffic personnel from Mandaue.

“Ato pa gitan-aw kung puwede ba, mananghid sa ta ni Mayor (Gabriel Luis Quisumbing) kay ni-request man ang Lapu-Lapu City og additional manpower kay kulang sila og tawo,” Antigua explained.

The Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management Systems (CTMS) has around 80 personnel only.

“Dako ilahang area kay whole Lapu-Lapu ang gi-cover sa Ironman,” Antigua explained.

Their second option, Antigua said, is to recommend to the Lapu-Lapu City government to tap schools who have students in Reserved Officers Training Course (ROTC).

The Lapu-Lapu City government has yet to provide a final traffic route for Ironman since Mayor Paz Radaza has yet to discuss with the barangay captains regarding the course.

The transition race to bike route from swim relay will start in Barangay Mactan and will go through the roads of Barangays Maribago, Marigondon, all the way to Basak, Pajo, leading to the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

This will be the first time that the old bridge will be used for the race after the Marcelo Fernan Bridge has been used for the last six years. (FREEMAN)