Aquino OKs EDSA-Taft flyover

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino approved yesterday the construction of the EDSA-Taft Avenue flyover in Pasay City to ease traffic congestion in the area.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) earlier made the proposal as a solution to the traffic problem in the perpetually busy intersection.

“The President has allowed the project to move forward subject to NEDA-ICC (National Economic Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee) approval and subject to the President’s instruction that the government take the necessary measures to minimize any inconvenience to EDSA motorists before actual construction takes place,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. 

According to Lacierda, the entire project’s timetable – from pre-completion to construction – is 15 months while actual construction will take 12 months.

“The NEDA-ICC will review it by April and the project cost is estimated at P2.7 billion,” Lacierda said. 

He said the flyover could reduce the average travel time by 50 percent and vehicle operating cost by 44 percent. It will also improve the accessibility to the proposed development in the bay area in time for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015, Lacierda added.

The MMC, the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority composed of 17 mayors, approved the construction of a four-lane, split flyover that would traverse the street-level section of EDSA between Osmeña Highway and Roxas Boulevard.

Based on the information from the MMDA, the northbound section will measure 1.422 kilometers and start in front of the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City and end near the Malibay Bridge in Makati City.

The southbound section, on the other hand, will measure less than one kilometer and begin near the Malibay Bridge and terminate in front of the Heritage Hotel as well. The southbound section will utilize the existing Tramo flyover as its on-ramp.