AS A TRIPLE zone with its university, hospital, and parish church, the University of Santo Tomas is now expected to be more accessible to Thomasians and the public through its redesigned traffic routes.
Late last year, the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) administration requested University officials to make the hospital more available to its patrons.
“Kaya naman naging two-way ang Lacson dahil maraming nagsasabi na hindi na accessible ang USTH,” said UST Traffic Management Committee head Roberto Evangelista.
The University then expanded the A. H. Lacson (formerly Gov. Forbes) gate to a two-way lane for 24-hour public use. To complement the well-lighted and well-paved Lacson sidewalk, the University repainted its outside walls and installed a new gate in UST colors – solid black with gold finishes. A lighted entrance and exit gate for pedestrians was also provided for mostly USTH patrons.
The University also placed signs on its entrance and exit lanes for Thomasians and public’s convenience. Aside from the two-way Lacson lane (Gate 1A), the España gate (Gate 1B) is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Other exit lanes can also be located along España (Gate 1C) and along P. Noval, which is open until 10 p.m.
In the Dapitan area, Gate 2A near St. Raymund’s building is UST’s other exit lane while Gate 2B near the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex is the entrance lane. Steel bars were installed in the previous entrance lane across the Central Library and the area is now converted to 20 additional parking spaces.
Traffic signs and route directions inside the campus were also made more visible in their newly-painted blue color, particularly near the UST Student Health Service (USTSHS) and USTH.
Despite these changes in the traffic lanes and routes of the University, Thomasians and the public still find it difficult to follow the campus’ traffic directions, evident in the clogging of Quezon and Osmeña drives (from España gate to USTSHS and USTH). The congested traffic is a common sight every morning and late noon, especially during school days.
But with the school days over, summer students, faculty, employees, as well as the public availing of Thomasian church and hospital services can breathe a sigh of relief as traffic temporarily smoothens. Ma. Lynda C. Corpuz and Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo
