MMDA proposes 'quick' steel flyovers to ease metro traffic

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino is proposing the use of “quick” steel flyovers to help decongest traffic in four traffic gridlock-prone areas in Metro Manila.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesay after the launch of the agency’s second fiberglass ferry for the Pasig River Ferry Service, Tolentino said a steel flyover or interchange could be placed each on Santolan Avenue, P. Tuazon and Katipunan-CP Garcia in Quezon City and at Vito Cruz in Manila.

According to Tolentino, the steel flyovers would just be temporary at first and could later be made permanent at the site. Tolentino said the “quick” flyover would have a span of at least 400 meters.

Tolentino said once a “quick” flyover is in place, it could remove the gridlock within six weeks.

“Pagawa ang flyover nang mabilisan, six weeks luwag agad ‘yon. Temporary ‘yun na pwedeng maging permanent,” he said.

Tolentino said similar quick to install steel interchanges are being used in Bangkok, Thailand to help untangle traffic in gridlock-prone areas. Tolentino said Bangkok, which is as congested as Metro Manila, has an area of only 139 square kilometers as compared to Metro Manila’s 636 square kilometers.

Tolentino added that Bangkok also has an equivalent of EDSA called the Middle Ring Road which is 42 kilometers long as compared to EDSA which is 23.8 kilometers long.

“Yun ang ginagawa sa Bangkok dinaanan nila ang dinadaanan natin. Nangailangan sila ng quick flyovers made of steel. Eto ung pinopropose ko. 'Pag nagawa, luluwag tayo. Habang kinoconstruct, may konting traffic lang. It can be done,” he said.