DPWH agrees: Open flyover
By Jujemay G. Awit
Thursday, April 14, 2011
DUE to public clamor, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 agreed to partially open the Mambaling Flyover to motorists.
It will be open to southbound traffic in time for Holy Week, said Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) chairman Sylvan Jakosalem.
The Citom board, in its regular meeting yesterday, convinced the DPWH to agree to have the flyover opened to ease traffic in the area.
It was Jakosalem who announced last Monday, quoting the DPWH, that motorists would have to wait five to six months more to use the Mambaling flyover, because DPWH wanted to keep it closed until phase two is finished.
In a text message, Jakosalem announced yesterday: “Here’s good news. Due to public clamor, in the own words of regional representatives of DPWH, they will coordinate with Citom closely to open the flyover, on partial basis, even before phase two starts.”
Phase two of the project will require a bidding, which would lengthen the process even more.
According to DPWH, Jakosalem added, phase two is actually a five to six-month project.
The center pillar of a present skywalk is dangerous to northbound traffic, which is why DPWH earlier decided to keep the flyover closed until phase two is completed.
The pillar is located just 51 meters from the flyover.
This would mean that northbound vehicles could inadvertently ram into the pillar.
Collision course
Safety measures will have to be in place before opening the flyover, which is why Citom and DPWH need to conduct a series of meetings.
DPWH sent four representatives to the board meeting, with Engineer Nonato Paylado as the designated spokesperson.
DPWH said the budget caused the delay because some programs, which are incorporated in phase one, could not be completed because of the lack of funding.
One major concern is the lighting.
Citom’s help
But Jakosalem said this can be solved because the City Government and Citom can talk with the Visayan Electric Company (Veco).
“I told them to write down all the things we need (to open the flyover) because Citom will help,” Jakosalem said in an interview after the board meeting.
Jakosalem understands that DPWH wanted to stick to its own rules.
DPWH wanted to finish the corollary projects of the entire flyover.
The department also has to contend with procurement guidelines from the national office in order to start the bidding process for phase two.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama would have wanted to open the flyover for northbound traffic, which is deemed heavier.
But Jakosalem said at least southbound traffic would now be faster.
Citom will also find ways to speed up the northbound traffic flow.
Initially, Jakosalem said he will study using both of the side roads of the flyover for vehicles going north. But this has to be assessed.
Signs
Jakosalem announced last Monday that flyover could not be opened yet, based on information he received from DPWH.
This prompted Rama to announce he will have the flyover opened because traffic is “a form of calamity” that needs urgent attention.
He said safety problems can be solved with signs warning motorists about ongoing work and the skywalk pillar.
The 410-meter Mambaling flyover was scheduled to open last Feb. 18, with DPWH announcing at the start of the project that there were no foreseen causes of delay.
Persistent rains in January moved the deadline to March, but the month ended without traffic improving in the Mambaling area.
The P110.98-million project was funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund of former congressman Antonio Cuenco.
“We are glad that the DPWH has taken into consideration the sentiments of the City residents. After all, the money to do these projects comes from the taxes paid by them,” said Jakosalem.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 14, 2011.
re: MERGED: Mambaling Flyover
Originally Posted by moz_k2
2 lanes ra d.i ang flyover?
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