Infra ideas to help traffic flow

A reader of this column, concerned about our traffic problem and eager to help Sec. Art Tugade, sent me a six page list of ideas which can help improve traffic flow. These are infrastructure projects with short gestation periods and can ease the unbearable traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

The projects identified in the list follow a simple design and are relatively easy to build, with construction periods running from 12 to 40 months. Right of way acquisition will also be at a minimum to facilitate project implementation.

The proposed urban infrastructures will expand the existing road network and unclog intersection bottlenecks.

The horrifying reality is that Metro Manila has about four percent of the national road network, but over 90 percent of vehicle population. The existing road network could be expanded by developing alternate routes that will connect residential areas to central business districts and major roads. Alternate routes have been identified in the list.

Expanding the network will require the construction of some bridges, flyovers, road extensions and widening. Assuming no right of way and utility relocation issues, the projects can be completed within 18-40 months, the reader estimates.

The list includes short bridges to relieve traffic in Ortigas to benefit commuters going to and from Rizal towns. Also in the list are proposed bridges across the Pasig River. Sec Tugade earlier said he is looking at pontoon bridges across the Pasig River too.

The reader also proposed some short roads to relieve traffic on Katipunan going to Marikina and a road using the MWSS right of way over its pipes.

More specifically, here are some of the proposed projects:

Tanay-Taytay C-6 Road. This involves the design and construction of a new “at grade” 4.3 kilometer alignment that will connect to the existing C-6 and General Santos Avenue.  It will provide an extension of C-6 Road from the Pasig River in Taguig up to Rizal Avenue National Road of Taytay, traversing parts of Cainta. This provides a faster route for commuters traveling to the east (Tanay and Cainta). It calls for two waterway crossings (35 meters and 267 meters) and can be completed in 36 months.

Levi Mariano, Taguig-Pasig City. This will provide a direct route from C-5, Makati, The Fort to Pasig City. It calls for a 2.9 kilometer “at grade” alignment and two bridges.  It can be completed in 32 months.

Sta Monica bridge. This will reduce vehicles taking Guadalupe, Makati – Mandaluyong and Rockwell bridges. It connects Lawton Avenue, Taguig and Meralco Avenue, Pasig. It can be completed in 20 months.

San Francisco bridge via Cardona. This involves extension of San Francisco St. in Mandaluyong to JP Rizal, Makati via Cardona St. This is a 158 meter river crossing and can be completed in 20 months.

Sta Ana Race Track via Symphony Drive. This will be another bridge over the Pasig River that connects Makati to Mandaluyong and give an alternative route for vehicles taking the Makati-Mandaluyong and Rockwell bridges. This can be completed in 20 months.

Katipunan Avenue extension, Pansol to Loyola. This will provide an alternate route from Katipunan, UP Diliman. The new 1.2 kilometer road alignment will provide an extension of Katipunan to Moscow St., Loyola Grand Villas, Marikina and San Mateo.

A flyover along C-5 in front of Ateneo and Miriam College, a one kilometer viaduct that can be completed in 18 months. It will reduce heavy traffic in the area.

A new 4.2 kilometer alignment over subdivisions connecting Commonwealth to Mindanao Avenue using the MWSS ROW. It can be completed in 40 months.

University Avenue flyover. This will provide a faster and direct route for vehicles coming from UP Diliman and Katipunan to Elliptical Road. It offers a safer route since there will be no need to merge and take U-turn along Commonwealth Avenue.

White Plains widening… will reduce heavy traffic for vehicles going to EDSA, Katipunan and Ortigas. Construction will take 12 months and cover 1.4 kilometers of road lots now occupied by commercial gardens and restaurants.

It is also proposed that modular steel flyovers be used in some areas, an idea already approved by Sec. Tugade. The steel flyovers can be installed in 22 intersections in Metro Manila. These intersections are now causing serious delays. Traffic signals have proven to be ineffective in managing the traffic as they only create further buildup and unnecessary delays to motorists.

The reader also suggested that government fast track the completion of the common station for MRT-3 and LRT-1 for the safety and convenience of commuters who now have to go down at the LRT Roosevelt station, take a jeepney or tricycle for the 500 meters to connect to the MRT-3. Because some portions of the base had already been completed, it is estimated the project should take just 18 months to complete.

It was also recommended that DOT complete the bidding of the LRT-2 east extension stations and electromechanical system. A single design and build contract should have been awarded for this short extension of four kilometers, but the Abaya DOTC decided to split the contracts and failed to award all of them. It would be unfortunate if the superstructure is completed but cannot be used because the Abaya DOTC did not complete the bidding process.

Another recommendation is to extend MRT-3 to Mall of Asia to reduce the number of vehicles, particularly PUVs clogging this route. The one kilometer extension can be completed in 36 months.

The reader who sent me these suggestions is an experienced engineer in the construction business who is also familiar with government projects. His assumption on the time frames is based on the assertion of the Duterte administration that it has political will and determination to cut bureaucratic red tape that delays projects.

I furnished Sec. Tugade a copy of the six page list. I hope some of the ideas can be made part of their plans to attain their goal of achieving the Golden Age of Infrastructure during the Duterte watch.

MMDA

Speaking of traffic flow, MMDA should also think through their constantly changing road barrier positions on EDSA. It would help if MMDA had signage to guide motorists when they make changes.

Driving South towards Ortigas, a private motorist has the choice of ignoring the sign that the rightmost lanes are for the buses or follow the rule and stay on the lane for private vehicles just outside the orange plastic barriers. If you plan to make a U-turn under the flyover, choose to stay in the bus lane.

They extended the barriers all the way and without warning. There used to be an opening in the barriers near the Shell station and the Audi showroom for private cars who want to make a U-turn under the flyover.

Now, if you are going towards Corinthian or White Plains, you are in trouble. You will find out too late that you can’t make a U-turn as you used to. You will now try to make a difficult maneuver to catch the flyover towards Pasig because otherwise, you will be caught in the gridlock at the Shaw intersection for your U-turn.

I suspect MMDA did that so clueless motorists can be issued violation tickets for making what MMDA traffic aides call “swerving”. Their goal should be to assure motorists are able to follow the rules and not raise funds or expose motorists to danger with a panic-driven maneuver.

That shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco.