MOTORISTS will have to brace for heavy traffic in Lahug and Banilad due to two events scheduled later today.
The annual Oktoberfest celebration will kick off with a huge party and concert at the Cebu IT Park while a Don Moen concert will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino tonight.
Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) operations chief Jonathan Tumulak said traffic congestion may be expected starting 5 p.m. or earlier along Salinas Drive, Pope John Paul II Ave. and Gov. Cuenco Ave.
He said around 50 traffic enforcers will be deployed from SM City Cebu in the Cebu North Reclamation Area to Gorordo Ave. in the south and Talamban in the north to help ease traffic flow.
There will be no rerouting since there are no alternative roads leading to the Cebu IT Park, he said.
“The public should plan their routes as early as this morning to avoid getting stuck in the traffic,” Tumulak said.
Four ambulances and two fire trucks will be deployed during the event, said Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council operations chief (CCDRRMC) Alvin Santillana.
Cebu IT Park property manager Lyndito Pelino said they will also deploy additional security personnel in the vicinity of the concert venue.
“It will be the first time that the Oktoberfest will be held in IT Park and the party will be (held) in the vacant lot in front of The Walk,” said Pelino.
Oktoberfest organizer Dawnde Romey said up to 4,000 people are expected to attend the party, which is being held in celebration of 125 years of San Miguel Pale Pilsen.
RockSteady and 6 Cyclemind will be performing. Disc jockeys Petty Tiu and Gavins Skewes will also be there.
The gates will open at 5 p.m. and the event will end around 2 a.m. the next day. /CTU Intern Marc Eric Cosep