CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Construction of the P25-million pedestrian overpass on Masterson Avenue has been temporarily halted following a City Council resolution citing traffic congestion and alleged design flaws.
DPWH-10 spokesperson Roshelle Novie Cabrido confirmed Wednesday that the 1st District Engineering Office agreed to suspend the project while the council reviews its impact on traffic flow, public safety, and future road widening plans.
The project, now 42.83 percent complete, drew scrutiny after City Councilor Enrico Salcedo questioned the placement of a structural post that could obstruct a proposed six-lane expansion of Masterson Avenue.
Cabrido explained that the post was positioned in compliance with current regulations, noting that the area is classified as a secondary road, which limits how far government structures may extend from the road centerline.
She added that DPWH is open to relocating the post, subject to the consent of the private owner of the adjacent service road.
While city officials emphasize traffic concerns, residents and workers in the area raised alarms over pedestrian safety.
“Naa nay nabanggaan nga taga DSWD sa pedestrian mismo kay dili gapahinay ang mga drivers,” said a local office worker, citing a recent incident involving a pedestrian at the crossing.
With schools, banks, and a nearby hospital, residents argued that minor traffic delays are a reasonable trade-off for improved safety.
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DPWH also committed to repairing road damage near the DSWD-10 office and reopening affected lanes by the weekend.
A follow-up committee meeting is expected next week to determine whether the overpass will be completed as designed or relocated.
