Traffic jams leading to SM City spark review of road networks

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) is asking motorists to consider alternative roads instead of passing through this area along Pope John Paul II Ave. in Barangay Mabolo, to avoid being caught in heavy traffic. Phase one of a flood control project is being implemented in this area near Mahiga Creek (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).

THE worsening traffic situation in areas leading to SM City Cebu at the North Reclamation Area has prompted the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to consider road changes that are intended to ease traffic jams that have lately become commonplace in Cebu City.

“For one, we may be limiting the turning movements along Kaohsiung St. and A. Soriano Ave. to reduce traffic in the area,” said CCTO head Rafael Yap.

This means that traffic authorities will limit the number of vehicles passing through these two streets located at the back of SM City Cebu.

The heavy traffic in Cebu City streets, experienced over the weekend, was reportedly caused by an ongoing drainage project along Pope John Paul II Ave. in Barangay Mabolo, which will approximately cover a 1.2-kilometer stretch of road.

Yap said that they will continue to assess the traffic situation this week to determine if the road congestions are only due to the ongoing drainage project in the Mahiga Creek area, or if a new SM City Cebu security scheme reportedly being implemented by the mall management also has something to do with the problem.

“We will continue to assess. We will be sure by this week. This should give us enough time to verify. The vehicular flow of traffic is also still adjusting to this,” Yap said.

Yap planned to meet with officials of SM City Cebu to discuss ways to address traffic gridlocks at the NRA especially since a lot of these vehicles are headed for the mall.

More traffic enforcers have also been deployed in the NRA to help adjust lanes depending on the traffic buildup.

Yap said that from time to time, CCTO personnel open up the opposite side of the road to accommodate vehicles accumulating on one side.

The contractor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 started work on the Mahiga drainage project along Pope John Paul II Ave. last Friday leading to the closure of a portion of the road from SM City Cebu going to JY Square.

The first phase of the flood control project, which involves the installation of box culverts on one side of the road to improve the drainage line in the area, is expected to last for seven months.

No vehicle rerouting scheme has, so far, been implemented by CCTO.

But Yap urged motorists to look for alternative roads in Barangays Mabolo, Kasambagan and Luz, such as, L. Tudtud St., P. Cabantan St., and Tres Borces St., to avoid passing through Pope John Paul II Ave and adding to the traffic buildup.