MMDA Eyes Elevated Bus Ramps Over EDSA U-Turn Slots
The new MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said Wednesday that he was eyeing elevated bus ramps along EDSA to improve the traffic situation brought about by closed u-turn slots.
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The MMDA has already pinpointed Caloocan and Quezon City for this project, said Abalos who succeeded the late Danny Lim.
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"Isang solusyon po rito ay ang elevated bus ramp, 'yung mga bus bago dumating sa kanto ng u-turn merong rampa na aangat sila parang overpass po na bakal," told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
(One solution for this is the elevated bus ramp. The buses, before they arrive at the u-turn, there's a ramp they can use to go up, like a steel overpass.)
Abalos said he would look into how much can be allotted for this project, how long construction would take, and if vehicles can make a u-turn.
When asked about bikes along EDSA, Abalos said parallel routes for cyclists along the busy thoroughfare should be safe and connected, if they are to be included.
"Baka napakadelikado sa EDSA dahil ang bibilis ng sasakyan pero titingnan natin. What should be encouraged are parallel routes, 'yung sa gilid-gilid. Get an inventory of these parallel routes nang ganun sa boundaries maidikit-dikit po natin sila," he said.
(It might be too dangerous for bicycles in EDSA but we'll look into it. What should be encouraged are parallel routes or those on the side. Get an inventory of these parallel routes so we can connect them at the boundaries.)
Abalos added that the number coding scheme in Metro Manila except Makati would remain suspended due to public transportation running on limited capacity due to quarantine restrictions.
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"Personal ko po ito, pinapakuha ko pa lang kung gaano kadami ang mga sasakyan ngayon sa kalye. Sa akin 'wag po muna, tungkol po sa ekonomiya, we need to encourage people to get out at kulang pa tayo [ng] sasakyan pa, 'yung pampublikong sasakyan. Kung talagang traffic, let's give it a few more weeks or a few more days," he said.
(This is my personal opinion, I've just asked my staff to get details on how many vehicles there are in the streets. For me, let's keep the suspension for now. For our economy, we need to encourage people to get out and we still lack vehicles, public vehicles. If there's really heavy traffic, let’s give it a few more weeks or a few more days.)