P1.2-B Makati underpass construction to start soon

MANILA, Philippines - Expect traffic gridlocks in Makati City to turn from bad to worse in the coming days.

Malacañang announced yesterday the plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to start very soon the construction of the P1.2-billion underpass project along Gil Puyat Avenue and passing through Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the 880-meter underpass, which is expected to be completed in 2017, is aimed at easing traffic congestion in the city and other parts of the metropolis.

He told state-run radio station dzRB that the Makati underpass project, which will start this April, is one of the infrastructure projects approved by President Aquino during the National Economic and Development Authority board meeting in October 2014.

The project will be implemented by the DPWH this year, he added.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said yesterday the construction of the underpass needs to have a traffic plan and approval from the city government.

He said the DPWH has not yet submitted a traffic management plan to the MMDA and secured the approval of the city government.

Tolentino said a traffic management plan is required for all big-ticket construction projects along major roads in Metro Manila.