Binay opens special 'Airport Lane'

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will start implementing its experimental "Airport Express Lane" scheme today.

MMDA Chairman Jejomar Binay said that motorists heading for the airport will be allowed to use the northbound lane of EDSA from the Magallanes Interchange to Tramo Road as counterflow.

Binay said that the implementation of the scheme will start from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. everyday. All vehicles using the counterflow heading for Tramo will have to first enter a slot on the left side of the Pasay-bound ramp of the Magallanes Interchange to enable them to enter the counterflow lane on the northbound side of EDSA.

"All vehicles must turn left to Tramo and head for their respective destinations" Binay said.

Binay said that the scheme will work for as long as motorists observe the "alternate merging" rule at the entry slot of the counterflow lane and strictly follow traffic rules.

"This can work for as long as motorists cooperate. We are doing this to ease traffic in the area and make the airport accessible to people from the Makati Central Business District" Binay said. -- Jose Rodel Clapano

For his part, MMDA traffic operations center executive director Ernesto Camarillo said that the scheme is still experimental because it will be subject to fine tuning depending on the actual situation.

"We have already installed traffic directional signs in the area and traffic law enforcers will be posted strategically to guide motorists" Camarillo said.