TRAFFIC JAM SOLUTION? GOVT STUDYING PLANS FOR SKYWAY ON EDSA
MANILA, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 (STAR) By Evelyn Macairan - To decongest the flow of traffic on EDSA, why not build an elevated highway over it or dig a tunnel under it?
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is exploring the possibility of building an elevated highway over the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) or digging a tunnel under EDSA to ease traffic congestion on the major thoroughfare.
During a hearing of the Senate finance committee yesterday on the department's proposed P125-billion budget for 2012, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said the plan is still in "a very preliminary stage" but may be started next year if preparations go as scheduled.
A public works official who requested anonymity said the construction of an elevated highway or a tunnel over or under EDSA would "greatly improve" the flow of traffic along the avenue.
"Right now, the traffic along EDSA is bad, during busy hours the movement of vehicles is bumper to bumper," the official said.
The official noted that companies have been incurring losses because of the heavy traffic along EDSA. The project is estimated to cost the government P30 billion to P50 billion.
The proposed elevated highway or tunnel would stretch from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City to Monumento in Caloocan City. On and off ramps would also be installed to enable motorists to embark and disembark at certain sections along EDSA.
The construction of a Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) is also being considered as a reservoir for floodwater.
"If this is just a road tunnel that we are looking at, definitely the elevated expressway is going to be more efficient. But if we want to use the tunnel as a SMART to bring in all the excess water that comes into Metro Manila, then we are trying to assess whether it is more efficient to do a joint SMART tunnel or just an elevated highway," Singson said.
The military said the project would allow them to immediately respond to crisis. Three of the gates of Camp Aguinaldo, headquarters of the military, face EDSA.
"There would be no disruptions in our operations. In fact, it would help us ensure efficient transportation of equipment and logistics," said Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.
Finance committee chair Sen. Franklin Drilon said the government is considering funding the project through official development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency or through partnership with the private sector.
"This will be started during the term of President Aquino. This will be sectionalized so that while the ambition is to finish this before six years, the reality is that we will be able to finish sections of this project," he said.
Singson also noted that the disbursement of funds for infrastructure projects would be faster, reaching 80 percent by the end of the year. He said projects that cost below P50 million have already been completed.
"We have to implement a certain kind of discipline in the preparation of projects. We just want to make sure that the projects being funded are the right projects so we required the completed program of work for every disbursement," he said.
"Since there were also requests for realignments coming from various sectors, we have to redo a lot of program support. We did most of that already during the first half (of the year). We can really see a ramping up of the implementation of projects in the second half," he added. - With Alexis Romero, Marvin Sy
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