Malabon, MMDA open C4 Road footbridge

MANILA, Philippines - The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in coordination with the Malabon City government, opened yesterday to pedestrians its P27-million footbridge along C4 Road in time for the Christmas season.

“Christmas is fast approaching and since the area is prone to traffic accidents, we decided to fasttrack the project’s construction for the safety of pedestrians,” MMDA engineer Federico Castillo told The STAR.

The square-shaped footbridge, measuring more than 200 meters, connects four major thoroughfares in Malabon City—Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, Rizal Avenue, Letre Road and C4 Road.

Employees, students and shoppers are expected to troop to the nearby Malabon City (MC) Square, the main shopping mall in the city, for their holiday shopping.

Castillo said Mayor Canuto Oreta has been badgering their office for the immediate construction of the footbridge due to several complaints of accidents involving vehicles and pedestrians in the area.

Working 24 hours a day, it took around 30 days for MMDA personnel to build the footbridge at the cost of P27 million.

Bong Padua, Oreta’s public information officer, said the project would benefit thousands of residents not only of Malabon but also of Navotas and Caloocan City.

“It would also result in a free flow of traffic and since there are no longer pedestrians crossing the roads, it would now be safe and convenient for motorists to drive through,” Padua said.

Castillo said a similar footbridge will be built at the Monumento area in Caloocan City pending the completion of a new Light Rail Transit railway station. – Pete Laude