Katipunan trees will have to go

Sorry, the trees on Katipunan Avenue will have to be uprooted and transferred.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is pushing through with the removal of the service road islands along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City,

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday the agency has concluded its review of the road-widening project in Katipunan as directed by Malacañang.

The service road islands removal was supposed to have been finished in time for the opening of classes, but the MMDA was forced to suspend the project after Malacañang was made to decide on the issue.

Strong protests from environmentalists, non-government organizations and school officials resulted in the delay of the project as they prevented the MMDA from uprooting the trees planted along the service road islands.

There are an estimated 100 trees planted along the service road islands.

Malacañang directed Fernando to review the project to determine whether or not their removal was necessary and to find alternatives.

Fernando said the review indicated the removal of the service road islands would be the most economical and efficient method in easing traffic along the busy thoroughfare.

Those opposed to the island removal, including representatives of Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University, proposed the construction of a skyway along Katipunan Avenue and the implementation of a vehicle reduction program.

However, Fernando argued that a new skyway would be too costly while reducing the volume of vehicles is impossible because the road is considered a major artery of the metropolis.

The project of MMDA involves the removal of all crossings at the intersection, the expansion of the road to five lanes and the provision of U-turn slots at strategic points of the road. Fernando said the removal of the service road islands is necessary because these structures hamper the flow of traffic along the road.

A huge stretch of the road consists of five lanes but at a section in front of the Miriam and Ateneo campuses one lane is taking up the service road island.

Fernando said that there should be a least 150 meters of road available for merging traffic in order to ensure a smooth flow while also preventing accidents.