Traffic office, pedestrian lanes with signs pushed

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The Traffic and Transportation Management Committee pressed approval of pedestrian crossings with traffic lights along Session Road and creation of traffic and transportation office in the city government to address traffic concerns.

            

TTMC member Teodorico Tan cited benefits of the proposed signalized pedestrian lanes before the city council saying it will address the concerns of both the pedestrians and motorists.

            

Earlier, the TTMC chaired by Mayor Mauricio Domogan was torn between reopening and maintaining the closure of the pedestrian lane on the lower part of Session Road.

            

The city police traffic division under Senior Supt. James Allan Logan had opposed the reopening citing adverse effects to the traffic flow considering the lane’s proximity to a major intersection.

But a clamor from senior citizens, barangay officials and business establishments prompted the city council to ask Domogan to re-open the pedestrian lane.

Tan said the TTMC cautiously weighed the pros and the cons and eventually acquiesced to reopen the lane provided that the signalized pedestrian crossings project will be implemented.

The signalized pedestrian lane project will cover four main pedestrian crossings along Session Road and will cost P6 million.

The councilors asked the TTMC to submit a breakdown of the project cost and returned the project to the council committee on public utilities and suggested that while the project is still under study, the city police implement the reopening of the pedestrian lane to provide relief to the lane users.

The body also promised to consider a proposal to set up a traffic and transportation management office in the city government and asked Tan to submit a recommended staffing pattern to supplement a pending proposal for said purpose.

Tan said creation of a separate office will bolster efforts to improve traffic in the city.