MMDA eyes 'skybridge' to decongest EDSA

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing the construction of a P10-billion "skybridge" meant to decongest traffic along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA).

 

In an interview with GMA News, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino revealed they are seeking the construction of an elevated bridge which will traverse the distance from E. Rodriguez in Quezon City to Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

 

Tolentino said this will serve as an alternate route to EDSA and hopefully ease traffic in the major thoroughfare. With this project, Tolentino expects the usual one-hour travel from Quezon City to Makati to be reduced to a mere 15 minutes.

 

"[Ang] recommendations [na ito ay para] maibsan yung problema natin sa trapiko," he said in the interview with GMA News reporter Mariz Umali.

 

Tolentino said the skybridge will be built above estuaries and will have three lanes each on the north and southbound lanes.

 

"With this na-address mo ang right of way concerns. Pangalawa, nakagawa ka ng walang additional cost, walang traffic obstruction 24 hours a day.  Napakaganda mo pa yung kalagitnaan na mga estero," he said.

 

Around 250,000 vehicles pass by EDSA every day but with the skybridge, Tolentino hopes to reduce the number of private vehicles traversing EDSA by as much as 40 percent.

 

He also said that they expect the flow of the northbound lane to speed up by 20 to 29 km/hr to 39 km/hr and the soutbound lane by 10 to 19 km/hr to 39 km/hr.

 

But Tolentino said they still have to submit the proposal for study and approval to the Department of Public Works and Highways and to the National Economic Development Authority.

 

Umali quoted NEDA director-general Cayetano Paderanga Jr. as saying that they can't say yet whether the project is feasible until after it has undergone study.

 

If approved, Tolentino said the skybridge will be in full swing by 2013. He said the full cost of the project would be P11 billion. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News