DPWH told to work on CSCR roundabout asap

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been urged to expedite the long-delayed roundabout project at the junction of F. Vestil Street and the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

Councilor Rey Gealon, head of the Cebu City Council’s transportation committee, expressed his frustration over the delay, pointing out that funds for the project had already been allocated.

“This roundabout has been planned for quite some time. The budget is there, yet we are still waiting for DPWH to take action,” Gealon said in an interview on Friday, September 13.

Seen to alleviate growing traffic congestion in the area, the roundabout, initially proposed in 2021, is intended to replace the current T-junction, which often experiences traffic bottlenecks, especially during peak hours.

By providing a circular flow for vehicles, it would eliminate the need for traffic lights, improving traffic management and reducing congestion.

Gealon emphasized that roundabouts, commonly used in global cities, enhance traffic flow and reduce human error. .

This infrastructure is particularly important at the South Road Properties (SRP) junction due to the increasing volume of vehicles, especially with the upcoming installation of a weighbridge station.

Vehicles that exceed weight restrictions would be able to use the roundabout instead of relying on U-turn slots, which frequently cause delays.

Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) Assistant Chief Kent Francisco Jongoy backed the roundabout, stating that it will reduce the need for constant manual traffic intervention.

“We currently have traffic enforcers manning the intersection around the clock, but with a roundabout, we can ensure a smoother, more consistent flow without as much human oversight,” Jongoy said.

Despite the Cebu City Council’s approval of the project in August 2021 under the late Mayor Edgardo Labella’s administration, work has yet to begin. Gealon passed a resolution earlier this year demanding that the DPWH provide a timeline for the project’s execution within 15 days.

During a groundbreaking ceremony for a new weighbridge station on September 13, 2024, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC) president Allan Alfon expressed support for the roundabout project.

Alfon explained that it would complement the forthcoming ban on overloaded trucks and trailers at the CSCR and the Cebu-Cordova Expressway, allowing these vehicles to navigate the area more easily.

The DPWH has allocated P600 million for the project, including P250 million for road widening to accommodate the new infrastructure.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Department of Public Works and Highways
• #DPWH
• #Roundabout Project
• #Cebu South Coastal Road
• #Rey Gealon
• #Cebu Transportation
• #Kent Francisco Jongoy
• #Ceby Cordova Link Expressway Corporation