Two speed cops deployed to help ease Mabolo traffic

A lane in the 3-way lane heading to Cebu IT Park from SM City Cebu is closed as construction works on the drainage project starts along the Pope John Paul II Ave. in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

THE Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) deployed two speed police officers yesterday to help the three other traffic enforcers manning the traffic along Pope John Paul II Ave. in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Heavy traffic was expected in the Mabolo area after the Department of Public Works and Highways’ contractor started working on the drainage project along the Pope John Paul II Ave.

However, major roads in Barangay Mabolo were affected by the traffic including the area near SM City Cebu.

“(Since) one lane going to JY Square Mall (Salinas Drive) is closed so adjust ta gamay (so we adjust a little). Given the volume of vehicles passing the area anytime, so medyo daghan-daghan gyud ang affected (a lot were affected),” Yap said.

He was referring to the closing of one lane of the three lanes of Pope John Paul Ave. from SM City Cebu area to the Cebu IT Park in Barangay Lahug.

Yap yesterday confirmed that there was congestion along Kaoshiung St. at the North Reclamation Area because of the vehicles getting in and out of the SM City Cebu parking areas.

“I have to check with SM because I think they are doing some sort of security exercise nga murag ang mosulod sa ilang parking space moqueue sa gawas (that those entering their parking space had to queue outside),” he said.

Yap said that he would ask for a meeting from the mall management to address the traffic since it would also contribute to the congestion in NRA.

Despite the traffic, there was no traffic rerouting implemented on passenger jeepneys plying the SM City Cebu-JY Mall route, which would pass through the Pope John Paul II Ave. to the Cebu IT Park.

He, however, reiterated his call to motorists to use alternate routes in going to Barangay Lahug from Barangay Mabolo and perhaps avoid passing through the Pope John Paul Ave. while drainage work would continue to be implemented.

When asked what they would do on Monday when there would be more people on the road especially students going to their schools and more workers going to work especially at the Cebu IT Park area, Yap said they would adjust to the situation and, for example, add more traffic enforcers when the need would arise.