ESTIMATED COST AT P1.035B

DOTr seeks budgetary allocation for Metro Manila-wide bike lane network under Bayanihan 2

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking to get budgetary allocation for its proposed bike lanes network all over Metro Manila under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2.”

“Doon sa tinatawag na Metro Manila-Wide Bike Lane Network, tayo ngayon ay nakikipagtulungan sa ating mga congressmen at senador at sana ay mabigyan tayo ng pondo for this year through Bayanihan 2,” Transportation Assistant Secretary for Road Sector Mark Steven Pastor said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday.

The Bayanihan 2 is currently being deliberated by the bicameral conference committee.

The Metro Manila-Wide Bike Lane Network has an estimated cost of P1.035 billion covering a total of 644 kilometers of bike lane infrastructure.

Pastor said the bike lane network will cover circumferential roads and other major roads in the National Capital Region.

“For circumferential roads, [it] will cover C1, C2, C3, C4, EDSA line, C5, C5 extension, and C6. This will cover a stretch of 204.5 kilometers,” he sid.

“Sa radial roads, maraming iko-cover —R1, R2, R10, R4, R5, and R9, covering 295.22 kilometers,” he added.

The proposed NCR-wide bike lane network will also have coverage for Ortigas, Buendia, White Plains, Estrella, Ayala, and Manggahan, which will have a total of 68 kilometers.

Mobility restrictions and limited public transportation amid the implementation of community quarantine measures to contain COVID-19, have prompted workers in Metro Manila to use bicycles.

Pastor said the DOTr, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are constructing “interim bike lanes” covering routes along Taft Ave., Quirino Ave., Roxas Blvd., and United Nations Ave. to serve healthcare workers going to and from the Philippine General Hospital, Manila Doctors’ Hospital, Manila Medical Centre, and Ospital ng Maynila.

Interim bike lanes for healthcare wooers and the public are also being constructed in Quezon City, covering the routes of V. Luna to East Avenue, Elliptical Road to Araneta Avenue via Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue to Elliptical Road to serve those going to and from Philippine Children’s Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Heart Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, East Ave. Medical Center.

The said Quezon City interim bike lanes are targeted to be completed on August 26, according to Pastor.

“For EDSA [interim] bike lane, as part of the EDSA Rehabilitation Program of the Department together with other agencies such as MMDA and DPWH, a protected bike lane will be established along the EDSA corridor,” he said.

“As we speak, pinoproseso na ang materials na gagamitin for the project and it will be delivered to the MMDA at the soonest possible time for construction and fabrication,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News