MMDA to reduce width of existing lanes to add one more on EDSA

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) mulls creating an additional lane in EDSA by downsizing the width of its existing lanes.

"Tinatawag ho natin itong road diet. Wala hong construction na mangyayari dito ia-adjust lang ho natin 'yung road markings, so 'dun lang ho tayo magbe-base para ho mas dumami 'yung lanes," MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said in a report by Ivan Mayrina on GMA's 24 Oras on Wednesday.

Each of the five lanes in the north- and south-bound sections of EDSA currently measures 3.4 meters wide.

These will be reduced to 2.8 meters each in order to create new lanes in both directions in order to improve the traffic speed in EDSA.

The proposed additional lane will increase the road's accommodating capacity by up to 6,000 more vehicles in each direction.

Furthermore, the report said that under the existing law, the width of all manufactured vehicles is not allowed to exceed 2.5 meters; thus, each adjusted lane will still leave some space allowance among the road users.

"Sinasabi nila na sisikip ano, yes but we're trying to push the traffic forward with this scheme," MMDA EDSA traffic manager Bong Nebrija said.

The Automobile Association of the Philippines, however, expressed its misgivings on the road diet.

"Ang ating mga lanes kasi mas makitid na nga compared to other countries... 'Yun lang ang problema ko dun baka masyado makitid eh magkasagian," said Augusto Lagman, president of the Automobile Association of the Philippines.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is still studying MMDA's plan and has yet to approve the proposed traffic scheme. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News