The Mandaue City Government has allocated more than P60 million for the gradual rehabilitation of aging traffic light systems across the city as part of efforts to improve traffic flow and road safety.
Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) head Hyll Retuya said several traffic lights installed between 2010 and 2013 have already deteriorated due to years of continuous operation.
“Ang kining atong traffic lights ang uban ana dilapidated, due to wear and tear sa kadugay’ng panahon,” Retuya said.
He said the rehabilitation will include replacing damaged traffic light housings while retaining existing wiring and components that remain functional.
The city is also exploring upgrades that would allow future integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted traffic management systems.
Retuya, however, said the city cannot rehabilitate all traffic light systems simultaneously due to budget limitations and other infrastructure needs.
“Wala man na pasagdi nato ug sa administration ni Mayor Jonkie (Thadeo Jovito Ouano), ato man ng gihatagan og pagtagad, dili lang gyud nato mabulto kay we will have a budget of P60 million plus for the rehabilitation alone,” he said.
TEAM has prepared a rehabilitation plan that prioritizes intersections based on the condition of their traffic light systems, according to Retuya.
“Dako baya kaayo ang Mandaue, dili ra ang traffic lights atong gi-focus,” he said, noting that the city also has other programs requiring funding.
Among the intersections identified for rehabilitation are those along M.L. Quezon Street in Barangay Maguikay, Highway Seno Street in Barangay Bakilid, Banilad intersection in Barangay Banilad, and Ouano Avenue in Barangay Subangdaku.
“Gipa-identify na nato sa atong supplier kung asa gyud ang pinaka-grabe ug pinakauna gyud nato nga i-rehab,” Retuya said.
He said the rehabilitation will be implemented in phases, with the city deciding each year which traffic lights will be upgraded based on priority.
“Daghan pero dili nato madungan, but we need to strategize kung unsay unahon,” he said.
Retuya said the city remains committed to improving its traffic management infrastructure by continuously allocating funds for the rehabilitation of outdated systems.
He also cited the AI-enabled traffic light system installed at the intersection of M.C. Briones Street and U.N. Avenue in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia as an example of the city’s move toward smarter traffic management.
The system can detect traffic volume and adjust signal timing based on road conditions to help improve vehicle movement in the area.
Photo courtesy of Lightway Traffic
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