Congressman says traffic islands enhance safety
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is currently conducting construction along Araneta Street from Barangays Tangub to Sum-ag. Bacolod City District Engineering Office head, Engr. Abraham Villareal, said the P84-million project will span approximately 2.579 kilometers.
The project includes an asphalt overlay; construction of a traffic island; double arm solar lamp post installation; along with the addition of thermoplastic pavement markings at the edge line, center lines, crosswalks, stopping lanes, among other areas.
Bacolod City lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya said he encouraged the DPWH to construct a traffic island after several people died from traffic accidents.
According to the congressman, a traffic island is a way to prevent traffic accidents as it keeps pedestrians safe when they stop in the middle of the road.
Earlier this month, the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution calling on the City Engineer’s Office to consider the removal of traffic islands along Narra Avenue, Narra Extension, and Tindalo Avenue in Bacolod City’s Shopping area. City Councilor Dindo Ramos, who penned the resolution, called the structures “outdated” and claimed its removal would “maximize road use” and “ease traffic congestion.”
Gasataya also said he requested DPWH to include the installation of the solar lamps along Circumferential Road and the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road in their proposed 2020 budget./DGB, WDJ