Traffic manageable during IEC dry run
MANY private vehicle drivers were caught by surprise when the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) closed a portion of Pope John Paul II Ave. yesterday for the traffic dry run for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.
Rafael Yap, CCTO head, said they will have to step up their information campaign.
The same road, from the corner of F. Cabahug St. to the corner of Archbishop Reyes Ave., will again be closed to private vehicles from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. today. It will also be closed for the event on January 24 to 31 next year.
“We need to work on information dissemination because the main cause of slow down is at the intersection when drivers will attempt to cross despite the private-cars-no-entry signage and our news releases,” Yap said.
Traffic was manageable despite the closure of the road, although it was heavy along Cardinal Rosales Ave., F. Cabahug St. and Pope John Paul II Ave. at between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. yesterday. The real test, however, will be today, the first day of the school and work week.
Yesterday’s traffic dry run was implemented from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Only taxis and public utility jeepneys (PUJs) were allowed to enter the area near the IEC Pavilion, although about 100 car passes were issue to affected residents in the area.
“We will review the feedback on that as well,” Yap said.
CCTO operations chief Joy Tumulak said even with the traffic buildup in some roads yesterday, traffic remained manageable.
“There are times when the junctions get full. But it doesn’t last long. It will be gone right away, especially after the traffic light says so,” Tumulak said.
Traffic buildup was observed in the junctions of Cardinal Rosales Ave. corner Pope John Paul II Ave., Cardinal Rosales Ave. corner Mindanao Ave., Mindanao Ave. corner Archbishop Reyes Ave., and Archbishop Ave. corner Pope John Paul II Ave.
CCTO earlier specified some diversion routes for private vehicles to take during the dry run. Among these are MJ Cuenco Ave., Mindanao Ave. at the Cebu Business Park, AS Fortuna Ave., and Salinas Drive going to IT Park.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
