Team proposes opening of Mandaue truck corridor

The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) is proposing the establishment of a truck corridor in the city to allow the continuous movement of trucks to and from the port area, without fear of its driver being fined for violation of the city’s truck ban.

The operation of a truck corridor is also seen to ease congestion problems in the city and nearby localities shortly after the peak hours, said Glen Antigua, Team operations head.

Mandaue City now imposes a truck ban from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

When trucks start to move out of their parking areas especially at night time, heavy congestion is normally felt especially at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) where most of the container yards are located.

“Nakita namo nga mag-ilogay ug maghu-ot sa truck corridor ang mga truck kon wala na ang truck ban sa buntag, dayon sa hapon, mao gihapon ang sitwasyon mao nga maapektihan gyud ang uban mga kalsada (We have observed that truck (drivers) would always race to go out into their designated city roads after the truck ban. This kind of situation also affects nearby roads),” said Antigua.

The imposition of the city’s truck ban and its effects on the city’s traffic was discussed during the Mega Cebu meeting held in Naga City last week, he said.

Antigua said the time has come for Mandaue City to amend its truck ban ordinance and come up with its own truck corridor that would bring trucks to and from the Cebu International Port passing by the NRA anytime of the day and night.

He said Mandaue City can use Ouano Avenue, A. Soriano Street, D.M. Cortes Street, UN Avenue and DM Cortes Street located close to the Cansaga Bridge as its truck corridor.

Cebu City, he said, uses S. Osmeña Road as its truck corridor.

Antigua said Team’s proposal will be discussed in Wednesday’s city council session. If approved, the truck corridor could already be made operation starting next month.