MMDA bares new traffic scheme for Ortigas Center

On the first Monday of April, traffic inside the Ortigas Center in Pasig and Mandaluyong City will move counterclockwise.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday that the "Counterclockwise Traffic Flow System" at the Ortigas Center was approved after a meeting among all of the affected parties last Tuesday at the MMDA office.

MMDA Executive Director for Traffic Angelito Vergel de Dios said the scheme is based on the "big rotunda concept" wherein all vehicles inside the complex would be moving in one general direction.

The Ortigas Center includes the SM Megamall complex along EDSA, Julia Vargas street, parts of Ortigas Avenue, San Miguel Avenue and Meralco Avenue.

Traffic inside the Ortigas Center has long been a problem especially during rush hour.

Several signs have been prepared to inform motorist of the new scheme that would take effect on April 7.

The MMDA would be disseminating the final schematic diagram of the flow system to affected parties this week so that they can implement the necessary measures for traffic management.

Another proposal raised during the meeting last Tuesday was the addition of two lanes along EDSA from Julia Vargas to the Building A exit of Megamall.

The additional lanes would be used as bus loading and unloading bays. however, the proposal is still being studied by SM management since part of its infrastructure would be affected.

De Dios revealed that feasibility studies are also being conducted on the construction of an elevated walkway from the MRT-3 Ortigas station to the SM Megamall building.

The construction of a pedestrian walkway around the stairway of the MRT-3 Ortigas station using part of the Asian Development Bank compound is also being studied.

It was revealed that after the Ortigas scheme has been perfected then the Ayala Center would be the next area to be studied.