MMDA opens Airport Road to two-way traffic

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) opened Airport Road in Pasay City to two-way traffic yesterday in preparation for the construction of the EDSA-Taft flyover in August.

According to the MMDA, the construction of the flyover would affect the cities of Parañaque and Pasay with the expected congestion of traffic in these areas.

“Two lanes will be for vehicles going to Roxas Boulevard, while the other two lanes will be for vehicles going to Andrews Avenue,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.

The new traffic scheme is the result of a consultation meeting under the Metro Traffic Watch program held last week with representatives from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center (TEC), transport organizations in the area, and traffic bureau chiefs of Pasay and Parañaque.

MMDA TEC Director Neomie Recio said traffic signals are already in place to control the intersections along affected roads. Appropriate signs were put up last week to inform the public of the new traffic scheme.

Tolentino, meanwhile, appealed to the local governments of Parañaque and Pasay cities to help the MMDA implement the traffic scheme smoothly by removing all illegally parked vehicles along Domestic Road.

The P2.7-billion EDSA-Taft flyover will start in front of the Heritage Hotel and end near the Malibay Bridge. The Department of Public Works and Highways is expected to complete the flyover’s construction in 15 months.