Motorists urged to use Christmas lanes

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is urging private motorists to make use of the Christmas lanes as alternate routes to EDSA, especially as Christmas nears and traffic along this main artery of Metro Manila is expected to grow in volume.

In a radio interview Thursday, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said his agency is still preparing for the opening of the alternate routes as part of a larger Metro traffic plan for the holidays.

Tolentino said although there is a moratorium on road works along EDSA and other major thoroughfares from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2 next year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start construction on two new interchanges along C5 Road. The interchanges to be erected on Lanuza Avenue and at Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City will take at least a year to complete, he said.

Tolentino said once the construction of the two interchanges goes into full swing, traffic volume along EDSA will increase with the expected spillover of traffic from C5 Road. Tolentino said he had already asked the DPWH to widen C5 Road before construction starts.

The Christmas lanes were introduced by the MMDA for use by private motorists last year just in time for the start of the Christmas season. Tolentino said the use of the Christmas lanes have contributed to the easing of traffic along EDSA last year.

According to Tolentino, studies conducted by the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office (formerly the Traffic and Transport Management Office) showed that after the opening of the Christmas lanes last year, travel speed along EDSA increased by more than 14 percent, or from 27.98 kilometers per hour to 32.07 kph.The Christmas lanes start at both the north and south entry points of EDSA.

The MMDA said the Christmas lanes are only for use by private motorists. The number coding scheme on private vehicles will also be implemented by the MMDA on these alternate routes.