Measures undertaken to ease traffic in La Trinidad

by SC Aro

La Trinidad, Benguet (12 December) — Measures to ease the mounting problem on traffic in this capital town, which is fast becoming a commercial hub, is now being undertaken.

The Provincial Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (PLECC) discussed this in a meeting held last week attended by members of the committee from the various agencies.

Among the actions being undertaken are the proposed construction of overpasses, establishment of islands along highways, observation of loading and unloading areas, and use of pedestrian lanes.

In an interview, Mayor Artemio Galwan said there are three proposed overpasses along the national highway. These will be located across the entrance of the municipal hall which will be funded by the municipality, the Benguet General Hospital to be funded by the province and either across the Km 6 Police Outpost or in the swamp area to be funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Galwan said the funding for each overpass costs P6 million each based on DPWH estimate. These are expected to commence next year.

There is also the experimental installation of islands along Km 4 to Km5 which started last October 15 and will run for 60 days. This is expected to end on December 15, according to town’s Chief Traffic PSInsp. Robert Gaspar.

Gaspar said a meeting will take place on December 17-18 to be attended by multi-sectoral groups to assess the impact of the traffic scheme. Reactions from the multi-sectoral groups will be gathered as inputs, he added.

Gaspar also said they will also look into the observance of loading and unloading areas among drivers which is causing traffic jam. It was also observed that the volume of vehicles could no longer be accommodated within the lane of the loading and unloading zones particularly in critical areas. In this case, all public utility jeepneys should occupy outer lane while private vehicles, the inner lane.

Gaspar said the use of the pedestrian lane is not being maximized which needs strict imposition of its use.

Unfortunately, the town’s council has not yet enacted any municipal ordinance on jaywalking although there was a move before which did not push through.

Traffic in this capital town is becoming humongous which calls for stringent measures for motorists, pedestrians, business establishments and other concerned sectors cooperation. (PIA-Benguet)