To Fly Over Or To Widen?

January 6, 2007 by Roy Sencio
Filed under: Musings

The furor over the solution to the worsening traffic situation in the busy Banilad area continues with the city council yesterday voting unanimously “not to interpose any objection to the flyover”.

Controversy and criticism hound the P150-million flyover project at the Gov. Mariano Cuenco-A.S. Fortuna St. junction, with Banilad based business leaders, community members and stakeholders opposing its construction, calling it a temporary solution.

Congressman Raul Del Mar and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña remain unperturbed and have been resolute about the project from the start, while proponents of the project may have scored a victory yesterday with the city council vote. This however may not really mean much to the sector that opposes the flyover as they claim that this decision was expected. There are those who believe the Mayor has his way with the council; incidentally he is also titular head of the political party that all the council members belong to.

The opposing camp asks for another study, another search for another solution, and have even presented their own independent study with “road widening” as a better and long term option.

The picture below was taken on the skywalk between Gaisano Countrymall and UC, in the northbound direction. Traffic looks green and go in the photo, however this area is often filled up with bumper to bumper traffic especially during rush hour, getting worse approaching the Ma. Luisa intersection.

While some talk in whispers and speculate that there are other reasons why the congressman, mayor, city council want the project implemented despite a veritable outcry from the constituents they serve; there is also hushed talk going around that the people who are also against the flyover and are pro road widening have incidental benefits and interests should a road widening project actually take place.

If the flyover project pushes through, despite indications that it is a temporary fix that will be renderred useless in a couple of years, we then expect nothing less than, our city officials working together with the community and stakeholders for longterm contingencies that should in fact… already be on the drawing boards today.