The Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) will implement road closures ahead of the 45th MassKara Festival highlights this weekend.
A road closure on a portion of Lacson Street was enforced yesterday until 5:00 a.m. on October 28.
The temporary road closure, which stretches from the intersection of B.S. Aquino Drive and Lacson Street to South Capitol Road, will be until 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 27.
Stages, booths and kiosks have started to be installed for the upcoming Food and Music Festival at the Lacson Tourism Strip from October 25 to 27.
“Huge stages will span along Lacson Strip, which is why we have to implement a full road closure for safety reasons,” BTAO deputy head Jose Antonio Robello said.
Organizers will mount six stages for performers, including local bands and other entertainers and personalities.
All vehicles, including public utility vehicles traveling northbound, are advised to use Gatuslao Street, while those heading southbound will need to pass along Aguinaldo Street, Robello said.
A one-way traffic scheme will be implemented on both Gatuslao (southbound) and Aguinaldo (northbound) streets.
Motorists can detour along B.S. Aquino Drive and San Juan Street.
On Saturday, October 26, a full road closure from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. will be implemented on the portion of Circumferential Road from The Upper East Avenue (Megaworld) to St. Francis Street for the Elektroika Diva and Float Parade.
The parade is set to assemble from The Upper East Avenue all the way to the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC).
A partial road closure of The Upper East Avenue is set from October 23 to 27 for the MassKara Festival Food Fest.
With the impending heavy traffic for the remaining highlights of MassKara, the Department of Public Works and Highways, in cooperation with BTAO, has designated the Bacolod Negros Occidental Economic Highway (BANOCEH) as a detour for all motorists, especially for cargo and cane trucks.
“We have to provide options for haulers because there must be an ordinance for using BANOCEH. As of now, it’s just a suggestion, an option because of the festivities, but we can’t fully implement the truck ban along Circumferential Road yet, pending approval by the city council,” Robello added.
For the much-awaited 45th MassKara Festival 2024 Street Dance and Arena Competition on Sunday, a full road closure will be implemented starting from the BCGC replica beside Bacolod Public Plaza on Araneta Street up to the Paglaum Sports Complex on Hernaez Street from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation, in cooperation with the Bacolod City Police Office, will strictly prohibit sharp objects and tumblers inside the sports complex./WDJ