Iloilo City’s new flyover project to ease up traffic, provide livelihood to local residents
THE new city flyover, which is being constructed at the junction of General Luna and Jalandoni streets, will not only pave way to the smooth flow of traffic but also provides livelihood opportunities to local residents and higher income for jeepney drivers.
The 195-lineal-meter flyover is being implemented by the President’s Bridge Program under the Mega Bridges for Urban and Local Development Project (MBURDP) with funding assistance from the French government.
On Tuesday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made an inspection of the project site where she was briefed by Assistant Secretary Emil K. Sadain on the status of the project.
In an interview, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas pointed out that the area where the project is being constructed is a bottleneck area, such that its opening would surely ease up the flow of traffic.
“This is one project of the administration that has a big impact to the city considering that Gen. Luna is one of the busiest streets with all the developments going on,” Treñas said.
He added Gen. Luna used to be a residential area but now has become busy because of business establishments that are sprouting together with schools.
Similar sentiment was also shared by barangays captains Bobby Divinagracia of Brgy. San Agustin, Cirilo Alag of Villa Anita and Edgar Alicante of Inday that play host to the new project.
Divinagracia added a bigger portion of the project sits in his barangay. As early as 9 o’clock in the morning, they can already experience the traffic congestion.
Alag and Alicante, meanwhile, were excited over job opportunities that will be offered to their selected residents.
They were informed that the contractor will be hiring local residents to help in the construction.
“We are very thankful to President Arroyo for this project,” Alag said.
Meanwhile, Gaspar Grejarte, president of a driver’s association plying the SM City-City Proper route, expressed his gratitude to President Gloria Arroyo because the easing up of the traffic would mean additional income for them.
Grejarte said they won’t mind the hassle and inconvenience that the ongoing construction will cause them given the long-term impact of the project, which is expected to be completed in four months.
“Four months of waiting is not too long for us. Anyway, there are other alternative routes that we can use while portion of the road is closed to give way to the construction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Treñas is requesting for another flyover to be constructed along San Rafael or Taft North and Diversion, which is also one of the congested areas during peak hours.
He added the proposed flyover is also being recommended by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The mayor added the two flyovers, the first one at the junction of General Luna and Diversion road, are but few of the legacy projects of President Arroyo in Iloilo City. (By Perla G. Lena, PNA)