The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) announced on Monday the closure of part of N. Bacalso Avenue for two months for the construction of a BRT lane in the area. | CDN photo / Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Prepare for the worst.
Traffic build up may be experienced in Cebu City’s southern corridor with the closure of part of Natalio Bacalso Avenue for the construction of dedicated lanes for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Road closure will be implemented on the left most lane of N. Bacalso Avenue or the roads located close to the center island in a portion of the highway located near the Cebu South Bus Terminal, for a period of two months or from September 25, to November 25, 2023, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said in an advisory.
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“The Cebu City Government, through the CCTO is asking for the public’s understanding and patience for the inconvenience that the road closure and diversion in relation to the Cebu BRT Project may result,” CCTO said.
“No PUJ diversion routes will be implemented, but all private motorists and road-users are highly encouraged to take alternative routes,” it added.
Alternative routes
CCTO is urging private vehicle owners to take alternative routes in going to downtown Cebu City, particularly Colon Street and the Carbon Market area.
Drivers coming from the northbound lane of N. Bacalso Avenue and are headed for downtown area are advised to take N. Bacalso Avenue, right to V. Rama Avenue, proceed to JM Basa Street, make a left turn to C. Padilla Street, and then proceed to Colon Street.
Those who are headed to the Carbon Market are advised to make a right turn to Leon Kilat Street.
PUJ drivers are also asked to follow traffic regulations to refrain from causing traffic congestion.
“For the riding-public, strict implementation of PUV (public utility vehicle) stops must be observed along N. Bacalso Avenue to ensure the safety of their embarkation and disembarkation to and from PUVs,” CCTO said.
Added burden
Habal-habal driver Albert Tañiza, 49, said that the traffic disruption was an added burden for motorists who are now suffering from the expensive cost of gasoline.
Tañiza said the temporary road closure was also expected to worsen congestion problems in the area, especially during the morning peak hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
“Wala pa gani nahuman [ang construction sa BRT station] didto [sa Jones area] unya ari napud sila nag kural mao na ang mga drayber ug motorista, ma problema sa agianan labi na buntag ug hapon trapik kaayo diri [sa N. Bacalso Avenue],” Tañiza told CDN Digital.
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“Kas kaayo og gasolina labi na mahal na kaayong gasolina ron. Samot na’g kalisod ang mga drayber. Okay ra ang mga motor kay makaagi raman mi sa daplin o kilid, pero kanang mga taxi ug jeep, pila nalang ilang makita sa usa ka adlaw kay trapik kaayo,” he added.
Daniel Gomez, another habal-habal driver, said he was grateful to the CCTO enforcers for manning the flow of traffic on the highway and helping ease rush hour traffic.
“Okay ra [ang road closure] kay naa man sad ang mga enforcer, maka guide raman sila. Medyo trapik gyud kay syempre rush hour pero at least maka abante gihapon ang mga sakyanan,” Gomez said.
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