Senator Wants Elevated Walkways, Bike Lanes to Ease EDSA Traffic

The spiraling traffic-management issues on EDSA have garnered a handful of proposed solutions from netizens, including a rework of the thoroughfare’s lane system and the implementation of a private-vehicle ban along the avenue during rush hours. Now, a lawmaker is pitching his own suggestions.

Senate majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for the construction of elevated walkways and bike lanes on EDSA during the recent Senate hearing on ‘carmageddon’ and other traffic-related problems. According to Zubiri, providing such infrastructure for pedestrians will help decongest Metro Manila’s busiest road.

Zubiri urged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to commence with the project, saying how the national government had already allotted budget for it previously, and that it was even included in the General Appropriations Act.

“I see no clear logical reason why it was not implemented. Compared to other infrastructure projects where right-of-way issues usually cause delays, this project will not be met with much opposition since government owns the land. We will have to talk only with the public utility companies, which I doubt would oppose this particular public-friendly project,” Zubiri said.

Zubiri also emphasized the project’s potential, citing how last week’s ‘carmageddon’ situation on EDSA forced commuters to walk to their destinations instead of staying onboard buses stuck in standstill traffic. “I myself would have done that—walked to get home. That crisis is what I precisely hoped to resolve way back in August 2016 in my ‘Inclusive Mobility’ speech,” he added.

The senator previously proposed the first phase of the elevated walkways to connect Ortigas to Makati’s central business district. Overall, the project was estimated by the Department of Public Works and Highways to cost around P7 billion. Zubiri said that he will work with his colleagues so that an initial P1 billion budget for the said project may be included in next year’s General Appropriations Act.

Apart from the elevated walkway project, Zubiri also mentioned the possible utilization of modern ferries as public transport along Pasig River to ease the the congestion on EDSA. “The DOTr (Department of Transportation) and the MMDA should acquire modern river ferries that are big, safe, and comfortable,” he said. “I have observed that the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission has been presenting proposals to turn the river into a busy transportation and tourism development project. Major cities around the world have been successfully using rivers. We can replicate their experiences to improve the situation of our commuters.”

Do you think these alternative solutions are feasible?

This story originally appeared on Topgear.com.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.