Roundabout project in Cebu City pushed

CEBU CITY — Officials called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fast-track the long-overdue roundabout project at the intersection of F. Vestil Street and the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR).

The project is seen as essential to easing the worsening traffic congestion in the area, especially with the upcoming completion of the 16,000-seater arena nearby.

Councilor Rey Gealon, head of the Cebu City Council's transportation committee, expressed his frustration over the delay, pointing out that funds for the project had already been allocated.

«This roundabout has been planned for quite some time. The budget is there, yet we are still waiting for DPWH to take action,» Gealon said in an interview on Friday.

Initially proposed in 2021, the roundabout is intended to replace the current T-junction, which often causes bottlenecks, especially during peak hours. Providing a circular flow for vehicles would eliminate the need for traffic lights, improving traffic management and reducing congestion.

Gealon emphasized that roundabouts, commonly used in global cities, enhance traffic flow and reduce human error.

This infrastructure is particularly important at the South Road Properties (SRP) junction due to the increasing volume of vehicles, especially with the upcoming installation of a weighbridge station.

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Vehicles that exceed weight restrictions would be able to use the roundabout instead of relying on U-turn slots, which frequently cause delays.

Cebu City Traffic Office assistant chief Kent Francisco Jongoy backed the roundabout, saying that it will reduce the need for constant manual traffic intervention.

«We currently have traffic enforcers manning the intersection round the clock, but with a roundabout, we can ensure a smoother, more consistent flow without as much human oversight,» Jongoy said.

Despite the Cebu City Council's approval of the project in August 2021 under the late Mayor Edgardo Labella's administration, work has yet to begin.

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Gealon passed a resolution earlier this year demanding that the DPWH provide a timeline for the project's execution within 15 days.

During a groundbreaking ceremony for a new weighbridge