Tabor fears more traffic jams due to two big road projects

A COUNCILOR is anticipating more traffic jams in the city with two major road projects of the national government that have been given a push by Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city's 2nd District. The projects are the widening of a road in Puerto in preparation for a planned P385-million flyover project of the Aquino administration and the construction of the coastal road from Gusa to Igpit, Opol in Misamis Oriental. The Puerto road widening project is expected to be finished by October while the P341-million coastal road would be completed in June 2012.

Councilor Ramon Tabor called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to closely coordinate with city hall so that a traffic plan could be mapped out. The call came even as Tabor expressed disappointment over a road repair in Macanhan that has been forcing motorists to take a detour in Carmen.

Since last Monday, the road leading to the city dump has been used by motorists as a roundabout road because of the Macanhan project. The project has affected motorists coming or heading toward the Lumbia direction as the DPWH closed half of a portion of Mastersons Road. Tabor said he feared the public would be misled into believing that the Macanhan project is part of preparations for a second flyover project announced by city hall. The city hall project is estimated to cost P75 million.

The Carmen flyover project, according to Tabor, would start within this year and the ongoing road repair might become "irrelevant" because of future excavations.

Tabor said DPWH should have consulted city hall before it started the Macanhan project. He said DPWH was unaware of the Emano administration's flyover plan. He said the city council passed a resolution a few years back, asking national government agencies and congressmen to coordinate with city hall when they implement infrastructure projects to avoid overlapping.  read more