30-day traffic experiment up
A 30-day traffic experimentation will soon be effected in routes traversed by public utility jeepneys under the then Metro Iloilo Development Council (MIDC). Antique bound vehicles which pass the territorial jurisdiction of the city are also included in the experimentation.
The implementation of the 30-day traffic experimentation came after the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved an ordinance suspending provision that governs the MIDC and Antique bound routes. With the suspension of the provision of the PBO, comes the authority for the chief executive to effect traffic experimentation.
The ordinance which calls for suspension of the traffic provision and the granting of the authority to the chief executive was sponsored by Councilor Erwin Plagata, chair of the committee on transportation, communication and public utilities of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Plagata said the proposal to suspend the provision of the traffic ordinance that concerns MIDC and Antique bound vehicles was an urgent request from the mayor before the city council. The execution of the traffic experimentation is in preparation for the opening of the Infante vehicular fly-over. "It is a transitory period."
The authority will give the chief executive to effect changes in routes that pass by Gen. Luna Street. Among the MIDC jeepney routes that traverse Gen. Luna are Oton, Sta. Barbara and Leganes. These routes were allowed to enter the city's main thoroughfares. "Their routes will be shortened," said Plagata.
San Miguel bound vehicles being part of the MIDC routes and Antique bound vehicles presently are occupying a terminal in Barangay San Pedro, Molo are also included in the up coming traffic experimentation.
The traffic experimentation will also address the traffic build up everyday along General Luna Street. People from Molo, Arevalo and Mandurriao have to experience traffic jams for more or less two hours, said Plagata.
Earlier, the Department of Public Works and Highways projected that the vehicular fly-over will be operational by either end of September or early part of October. However, as of this date, the construction of the approaches of the vehicular fly-over has yet to start. It is the city government that has the responsibility to allocate funds for the construction of the two approaches.