Heavy traffic seen at N. Bacalso in next 3 months

Heavy traffic is expected starting today along Natalio Bacalso Avenue as three of its four lanes will be closed to vehicular traffic due to the construction of the underpass in the area.

The Department of Public Works and Highways-7 will start the second phase of the construction which includes digging for the 700-meter underpass at the N. Bacalso Ave. corner F. Llamas Street.

DPWH project engineer Roy Dela Cruz said the second phase is expected to be completed in three months which means motorists should brace for heavy traffic in the area until the second phase is completed.

“Maong hangyo lang gyod mi sa publiko labi na sa mga motorist nga patas-an ang ilang pasensya kay amo man pod paninguhaon nga madali among trabaho,” he said.

Dela Cruz said the works of the contractor will be 24/7 to hasten the completion of the digging in the southbound lanes. Dela Cruz said his office has been coordinating with the Cebu City Transportation Office for the implementation of the road closure and for immediate changes if necessary.

He assured that phase two will be done in three months instead of four as originally scheduled.

“Parehas sa phase one, mag-digging ta ug mag-install sa mga bore piles ug mga sheet piles. After ana, mag-excavate nami sa depressed structure,” he said.

CCTO head Francisco Ouano said the area will be left only with the outermost northbound lane for the public to use.

Those who will be going to the south, Ouano said will have to use the diversion roads like Ma. Gochan, Tagunol, Caimito, Katipunan, among others.

He said these alternative roads can accommodate the northbound and southbound vehicles.

“Hangyo nato sa atong motorist labi na sa mga private car owners nga planohon ilang lakaw ug agi nalang sa atong alternative roads kay heavy traffic gyod atong N. Bacalso,” he said.

Trucks, minibuses, and buses will not be allowed in N. Bacalso Avenue.

Ouano said the South Road Properties is one of the best alternative routes for the southbound vehicles. He said the office has prepared for the impact of the project in the area.

There are traffic signs installed to assist the motorists, he said. Also, at least eight traffic enforcers will be deployed in the area in the morning and another eight enforcers in the afternoon.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said it is going to be “tough” to implement a project that has been delayed because of “obstruction” of the previous administration.

He said the project should have been implemented when there was less traffic in the area.

The P638-million underpass project will have a two-way, two-lane depressed structure at the intersection of N. Bacalso Avenue and F. Llamas Street. It is expected to finish in 18 months.