Gov. Gwen Garcia has formed a technical working group (TWG) that will explore the feasibility of building a roundabout to improve traffic flow at the UN Avenue and Plaridel St. Intersection in Mandaue City.
This was the fruit of a meeting at the Capitol on March 13 between Gov. Gwen Garcia, Board Member Glenn Soco, Subangdaku Barangay Captain Ernie Manatad who represented Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and DPWH officials, led by DPWH 7 lawyer Brando Ryan.
The identified intersection, located at the foot of the Mandaue City side of the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Cebu’s second bridge, is quite a busy intersection as it also leads to Cansaga Bay Bridge to the north.
This intersection is crucial for those coming to and from Mactan Island via the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, and so building a roundabout, like the one at Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, should be able to help alleviate traffic congestion, Gov. Gwen said.
The creation of the TWG is contained in Memorandum No. 19-2024 which the governor signed on the same day. It is co-chaired by the governor and the mayor, and DPWH 7 director Ernesto Gregorio Jr. serves as vice chair.
Its members — Engr. William Christopher Liu Jr., Engr. Fortunato “Jun” Sanchez, Mr. Michael Lhuillier, and Atty. Manolette Fel Dinsay — are also tasked to develop a plan for project implementation and provide recommendations to the provincial and city governments.
The Capitol has already committed to helping relocate would-be affected residents whose houses will fall on the way of the roundabout, adding that the project would largely involve an empty lot already belonging to the government. | Carlo Lorenciana