LRTA readies traffic plan for Baclaran-Bacoor extension project

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has mapped up traffic plans to cushion the impact of the construction of the LRT extension project on road traffic.

Teddy Cruz, LRTA administrator, said yesterday that the agency has already prepared a traffic management scheme in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to prevent traffic congestion in areas affected by the project.

"It is imperative that a local area traffic management scheme be implemented so as not to burden motorists and commuters in affected areas," he noted.

The LRTA expects the construction of the extension project to start this year. Under the project, the existing LRT will be extended from Baclaran station in Parañaque City to Bacoor, Cavite. This will complement the rapid development in the southern Luzon provinces. During the construction, the six lane roads of Ninoy Aquino Avenue in Parañaque City will be reduced to four lanes while the four-lane Talaba diversion road will be trimmed down to two lanes.

Cruz added that alternative routes have already been identified in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor.

"Traffic impact will be minimized since local road network will be able to support it, together with the public transport re-routing," he said.

The effectiveness of the traffic plans would be pilot-tested for three days prior to start of the construction works. A monitoring team has been created to assess the traffic condition in the construction area. This is composed of the Traffic Operation Center of the MMDA; representatives of SNC Lavalin, the contractor of the project and local government units.

"To ensure that this plan will be effective, all necessary signs, pavement markings and other safety devices will be put up on-site before the construction works start," Cruz said.