MMDA gets P100M from QC; commitment from DOTr, DPWH for elevated bus ramps on EDSA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) proposed elevated bus ramps on EDSA to address bottlenecks at U-turn slots in Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare will be realized sooner after the agency secured funding for the project.

During the House committee on Metro Manila Development meeting on Wednesday, newly-appointed MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos said the Quezon City government gave multi-million peso funds for the proposed project.

“Ang Quezon City nagbigay ng P100 million, si Mayor Joy Belmonte,” Abalos said.

“Si [Transportation] Secretary [Arthur] Tugade also promised to give some funds so is [Public Works] Secretary [Mark] Villar,” he added.

The MMDA chair earlier said elevated busways will be set up on EDSA to improve traffic flow following the closure of some U-turn slots that motorists blamed for heavy traffic.

“It simply means in a corner ng U-turn, ‘yung mga bus would go through a ramp to make sure all the corners will be free so that the vehicles would take a U-turn,” Abalos said.

He, however, admitted that the project still has a long way to go since two bus ramps cost at least P100 million.

“Hindi biro ang gastos... Hindi rin ganun kalaki ang pondo ng MMDA,” Abalos said, noting that there are a lot of U-turn slots to be built with elevated bus ramps.

Apart from securing funding from various agencies and local government units in Metro Manila, the MMDA chair said the agency has managed to have P300 million worth of savings, which he hopes can be used for the elevated bus ramps on EDSA.—AOL, GMA News