Mandaue not keen on Plaridel flyover

ONE of three proposed flyovers in Mandaue City may not be pursued after all because it would just worsen traffic in barangay Centro and barangay Cambaro, Mandaue City.

Architect Florentino Nimor of the Mandaue City Planning and Development office said yesterday that the flyover was too near busy intersections, which could worsen traffic.

Nimor was referring to the proposed flyover along Ouano Avenue in barangay Centro and Plaridel Street in barangay Cambaro.

“Traffic just like drainage needs a macro and holistic approach,” Nimor said.

He said the national government project with an approved budget could still be stopped.

The first phase budget of P188 million has already been approved.

Nimor said projects of the national government still need the endorsement of the local government or City Council and have to undergo a public hearing.

He also said the situation in Mandaue City was different from that of Cebu City

He said it’s a case-to-case basis and that some flyovers are useful while others are not.

Two other proposed flyovers in Mandaue City will be built along the tri-level intersection of United Nations Avenue, and another one in M.C. Briones and A S Fortuna Street. The three flyovers will cost P1.7 billion.

Nimor said if the project won’t push through, its budget could still be re-aligned and used for other projects.

Nimor said the only solution for traffic along Plaridel Street would be to make an eight-lane coastal road and to reclaim about 130 hectares of land in the city going to barangay Nangka, Consolacion town in north Cebu . Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos