Safety audit exposes deficiencies of Cebu City flyovers

The four flyovers in Cebu City pose danger to motorists, a safety audit concluded.

A report from the Cebu Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) revealed deficiencies in road safety features in the flyovers in Banilad, Tesda, Ayala and Mambaling.

Among the hazards found by Citom were faded reflector paints, non-existent  hazard markers, warning signs covered with dust and improper construction of lane separators.

The safety audit  was done after an accident happened in the Banilad flyover that resulted in the amputation of the leg of a Mandaue City beauty queen last month.

Citom Executive Director Rafael Yap said that while they can’t qualify the degree of danger posed by the flyovers, they found some inadequacies of the road signs in the city’s flyovers.

“The safety-audit was made to note down the defects of the existing flyover,” Yap said.

The Cebu City traffic executive said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) need to address this problem.

“We hope that they (DPWH) should respond by implementing some of our recommendations,”  said Yap.

The recommendations are for safety purposes, explained Yap.

“You notice that while some are existing but  needs improvement, while some are additions. So those are the items that we wish they (DPWH) should take note of. And correspondingly make the improvement,” Yap said.

Citom recommended the painting of concrete separators with reflectorized paint and installation of   cat’s eyes or reflective road markers.

Citom also recommended the installation of chevron marking after the concrete separator extending up to more or less 30 meters to be enhanced by  solar-powered linear lights (pointers)  similar to the ones placed on the approach of the Banilad Town Center (BTC).

Reflectorized warning signs are also recommended.

The “No Passing”of non-motorized vehicles on the flyover needs to be strictly enforced for everyone’s safety, the Citom audit report said.

“No Pedestrian Crossing” signs should also be installed on the foot of  flyovers.

Cebu City has four existing flyovers — the Banilad flyover on the junction of Juan Luna Avenue and A.S. Fortuna Street and the road going to Maria Luisa Park;  the Tesda flyover at the junction of Juan Luna Avenue and Archbishop Reyes Avenue; the Ayala flyover at the junction of N. Escario Street  and Archbishop Reyes Avenue, and the Mambaling flyover at the junction of N. Bacalso Avenue and Ma. Gochan or N. Bacalso Extension.

In the Banilad flyover, Citom cited the hazard posed by the adjustment made on the concrete separator at the approach from Talamban.

The Feb. 23 car crash that seriously injured a former Ms. Mandaue beauty titlist Karina Gajudo prompted Citom to initiate a “safety audit” to evaluate the existing traffic safety measures provided if they are effective or adequate enough for the safety of the motorists passing in Banilad flyover and other flyovers in the city in order to avoid another accident.

Citom also cited that the “concrete separator was painted but needs to be repainted because it is no longer visible to the motorists.”

The installation of  solar linear lights (pointer) was cited as a supplement to make the concrete separator more visible.

“There is enough street lighting along the whole stretch of the flyover,” it said.

A concrete separator is constructed on both ends of the flyover with an extended or additional speed bumps.

At the Banilad approach, the hazard paint is no longer visible to motorists. Citom cited that the separator is smeared with dust and dirt, affecting its visibility.

The hazard paint is no longer visible and no hazard marker was installed at the Ayala approach of the flyover. Dusty and dirty warning signs were also cited at this particular approach of the flyover, making it not visible in the night.

But there’s a sufficient street lighting in the entire stretch of the flyover.

Citom cited the installation of concrete separators on both ends of the flyover with an extended speed bump. Although, the hazard marker was installed, they cited the lack of visibility of the hazard paint at the Grand-Con and Ayala Terminal approaches.

Street lighting was however found to be sufficient.

At Cebu Institute of Technology -University (CIT-U), the hazard paint, hazard marker and concrete separator were installed. Citom also cited the absence of a concrete separator on the Mambaling flyover approach. Instead of a concrete separator, an empty drum painted with reflectorized paint serves as a road warning to motorists.

Citom also cited the  pedestrian overpass near the foot of the bridge as a hazard to motorists. They said commuters waiting for a ride near the overpass pose a safety risk..

Citom said concerned agencies should also be reminded of their responsibility to regularly maintain  road and traffic safety devices and upgrade  safety measures. /Tweeny M. Malinao, Correspondent