Citom tells DPWH to clear Reyes Avenue

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was barred from using Archbishop Reyes Avenue in Cebu City to park their heavy equipment especially during daytime.

Rafael Yap, Citom executive director, said DPWH, which is doing road widening, was advised to only bring out heavy equipment at night starting 8 p.m. when traffic volume is low.

Yap said that the busy Archbishop Reyes Avenue should be left unobstructed especially during day because this is the only corridor leading to the Banilad-Talamban area.

“So far, DPWH has been cooperating and we have no longer heard complaints about traffic,” he said.

DPWH started removing structures along Archbishop Reyes Avenue at the back of the Pag-ibig Tower last Monday as part of the widening of access roads below the flyover.

However, Yap said, this was the same day DPWH informed the Citom office about their ongoing work which resulted in heavy congestion.

“Road widening should not be causing more problems,” said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who has been pushing for road widening projects in lieu of more flyovers.

Rama said the widening of roads below the Archbishop Reyes Avenue flyover was “long overdue.”

“We should be thankful the project has started, but they should coordinate with City Hall.

Yap said he directed two Citom personnel assigned along Archbishop Reyes Avenue – near Tesda and near the Pag-ibig Tower – to monitor the movement of DPWH heavy equipment and to make sure that traffic flow is not hampered.

He said that while they have allowed DPWH to use the vacant space bellow the flyover for a bunkhouse and parking of equipment, there should be enough space left for motorists to use as a u-turn slot.

As of yesterday, DPWH personnel only worked on the demolition of structures affected by the widening project.

Yap said DPWH should only bring out their heavy equipment to work on the widening project starting at 8 p.m./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac