MMDA eyes bus lane, tunnel on Commonwealth Avenue

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday proposed an exclusive bus lane and an underground tunnel on Commonwealth Avenue to ease traffic congestion along the major thoroughfare.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said discussions on the proposal are on the table.

Artes said the MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center is studying the proposal, which is similar to the EDSA busway.

Also being reviewed is the construction of an underground tunnel along Commonwealth Avenue.

At present, the MMDA is implementing the exclusive motorcycle lane policy along Commonwealth Avenue.

An average of 18,000 vehicles pass through Commonwealth Avenue daily, according to Artes.

Of the figure, 10,000 vehicles proceed to Quezon Avenue. The rest head to East Avenue.

Data from the MMDA showed that 244,689 vehicles – composed of private vehicles, passenger jeepneys, UV Express vans, taxis, buses, trucks, trailer trucks, motorcycles and tricycles – used Commonwealth Avenue since January 2024.