A public consultation is set on May 14 for the proposed implementation of a two-way traffic scheme at Pines Park Bridge in Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet.
The public consultation is set near the Balili Pines Park Police Station from 2 p.m. onwards.
Mayor Romeo Salda said residents of Pines Park and Lubas recently petitioned the municipality to implement a two-way traffic scheme at the steel bridge for the public’s convenience.
The residents, particularly students and employees, are protesting the long route they would have to take to get to the main highway.
At present, the bridge is open for one-way traffic for all kinds of vehicles weighing not more than five tons. The entrance is from the main highway at Km. 4 and motorists would have to exit at Teb-teb, Balili Road or at the Ambiong-Lubas-Tawang Road.
“We are going to do a one month two-way scheme experimentation so our traffic management board will see the best solution,” Salda said.
The municipality is also waiting for the schedule of the formal inauguration and turnover ceremony of the bridge from the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Meanwhile, the municipality is waiting for the review of the provincial board for its expropriation ordinance, which empowers the mayor on behalf of the municipality to acquire through direct purchase or exercise the power of eminent domain or pursue expropriation proceedings over the two parcels of land at Km. 4.
The affected lots owned by private individuals are part of the road right-of-way of the Pines Park Bridge, particularly at the bridge approach going to the national highway, which is crucial to widen the bridge entrance to ease traffic.
Expropriation is the government’s power to take private property for public use upon just compensation to the owner. – Ofelia C. Empian
