Coastal motorists get some relief

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has agreed to a few concessions in its new Coastal Road traffic scheme in Parañaque City, which motorists said was confusing and inconvenient.

Yesterday, motorists were allowed to make a left turn from Coastal Road to the President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (PDMB) and from Baclaran to MIA Road.

However, they still cannot cross the Roxas Boulevard and MIA Road intersection.

MMDA Traffic Operations Center (TOC) Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios said these adjustments are only temporary.

"We will close that intersection when the U-turn slot on Coastal Road is done," Vergel de Dios said.

The U-turn slot will be just before the toll gates.

Vergel de Dios added that plans are underway for the road widening of Coastal Road.

"The road starts with six lanes and then narrows down to four. We will make the whole road six lanes," Vergel de Dios said, adding the MMDA is only waiting for the go-signal of the Public Estates Authority (PEA) to start the project.

The MMDA will shoulder the cost of the road widening, Vergel de Dios said.

"We are doing all these, the U-turn scheme and the road widening to have continuous flow of traffic on Coastal Road," he said. – Nikko Dizon