Heed traffic advisories, unless you want to trek on Ironman weekend
Thousands of athletes who are competing in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Cebu this Sunday have spent months training their bodies to endure three different disciplines.
The rest of us who plan to run errands—or to catch a flight in Mactan airport—on Sunday are urged to heed traffic advisories from officials of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Cebu City, unless we’re ready to spend hours stuck in traffic.
If you’re headed for the airport, take the Sangi-Seaweeds-Matumbo road. About 1,000 police officers and other personnel will be field in LapuLapu to keep the triathlon safe and to guide other road users.
Among the roads that will be closed from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mandaue City are Ouano Ave., A. Soriano St., D.M. Cortes St., and part of United Nations Ave. going to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
Police officers and other enforcement agencies will inspect the triathlon’s route this afternoon.
Roads in Lapu-Lapu City that will be affected by this year’s Ironman 70.3 Triathlon will be closed from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. LCPO to inspect the entire route today where more than 1T police officers, enforcers will be deployed on Sunday
Everyone who has important errands in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City are advised to take note of the roads that will be closed for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.
In Lapu-Lapu City alone, more than 1,000 police officers and other law enforcers will secure the route of the triathlon.
Routes in Lapu-Lapu for this year’s Ironman will be closed for 12 hours, starting from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roads to be affected are from Mactan Newtown to Manuel L. Quezon Highway, or up to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge for the bicycle leg.
Roads from Mactan Newtown to Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa and Punta Engaño Road will also be closed for the run leg.
According to the Lapu-Lapu Public Information Office, those who are going to and from the airport will have to use the Sangi-Seaweeds-Matumbo roads.
In Mandaue City, roads that will be closed for the bike leg will start from Ouano Ave., A. Soriano St., D.M. Cortes St., United Nations Ave. going to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. These roads will be closed from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Glenn Antigua, chief for operations of Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said all public utility jeepneys bound for Mandaue from the north shall pass J.P. Rizal St., M.C. Briones St., then head to their destination.
Traffic map
Based on the traffic map released by the Team, vehicles coming from Cebu City going to Mandaue proper can pass either on Lopez Jaena St. or on M. Logarta St., then to M.C. Briones St. to A. Del Rosario St.
Those going to Lapu-Lapu or to the airport, they can pass by
M.C. Briones St., U.N. Ave (particularly the lane that is not used for the triathletes) then to the second bridge.
Supt. Rey Tiempo, deputy city director for administration of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), said police officers and other enforcement agencies will conduct an inspection of the entire route at 2 p.m. today.
Mayor Paz Radaza told reporters said that the City Government will send the Tribu Lapu-Lapu for the third time to compete in the triathlon.
Last year, the Tribu LapuLapu won second place in the relay male category, while fifth in the relay female category.
Radaza said she already coordinated with the barangay officials to help the City with the security of the triathletes.
“There will be lots of security measures. All the hotels are actually fully-booked,” the mayor said. /