3 flyovers in Cebu City to adopt one-way scheme during peak hours

Traffic congestion at the Banilad-Talamban road is almost an everyday problem for motorists. CDN Digital photo | Christian Dave Cuizon

CEBU CITY, Philippines (UPDATED)– Three flyovers in Cebu City are set to adopt a one-way scheme during peak hours starting on Saturday, December 23, 2023, in a bid to ease traffic during peak hours.

A one-way flyover scheme will be implemented in the flyovers near Ayala, Tesda, and Foodland in Banilad.

All three flyovers will be one-way to the city proper in the morning from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be one-way to Banilad and Talamban in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“Mao ni siya’y ato nakita nga solution nga mo-ease ang traffic during peak hours,” said Raquel Arce, the head of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), in a phone interview on Friday, December 22.

(This the solution we believe that could ease traffic during peak hours.)

READ MORE: Cebu City traffic: Why is it a perennial problem?

Arce told CDN Digital that to maintain the flow of traffic, traffic personnel will be deployed in all areas affected by the one-way flyover scheme.

“Wala ta’y timeline kanus-a kutob. Basta ang ato ra, musugod ta ugma,” Arce said.

(There’s no timeline until when will this be implemented. What’s sure is that we will start tomorrow.)

According to Arce, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama personally conducted a briefing for all department heads to participate and ensure a flawless implementation of the one-way scheme in the three flyovers.

“Inig pilmirong sugod, murag more ko on that, nga mga traffic gyud but with the presence of our enforcers, presence of the city government in the area, ma-neutralize siguro nato ang traffic,” Arce said.

This one-way scheme in the flyovers was initially planned last May but was postponed indefinitely.

READ MORE: One-way Talamban flyover trial traffic scheme postponed indefinitely

On December 21, the CCTO published an announcement about the one-way flyover scheme on their official Facebook page, where several people have shared their comments in the comment section.

One of the commenters stated, “Samot na nuon ka traffic.” (It will be more congested.)

Another commenter about the one-way scheme of the three flyovers said, “Who is the genius that came up with this ‘brilliant’ idea? People need to know the name to blame.”

Meanwhile, another commenter gave a suggestion, stating, “Suggestion lang… pwede kanang sa Cmall dili na pwede left turn padulong Talamban? Right turn ra na? Ug sa unahan sad dili pwede left turn padulong Phoenix Gas sa kina. Tanan mo left turn pasudlon IT Park unya gawas Aboitiz adto na left turn pabalik Talamban. Ang uban traffic scheme as is lang wala na one way sa flyovers.”

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