Business Bayani PH

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) revealed its comprehensive plan to address traffic gridlock in Metro Manila. The strategy focuses on expanding and upgrading transportation infrastructure, including constructing new roads and bridges.

Core Highlights:

• Improved Road Network: The plan involves building more bypasses, diversion roads, expressways, flyovers, interchanges, and underpasses to improve traffic flow.
• Completed Projects: The recently finished Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 significantly reduced travel time between Buendia and Balintawak from 2 hours to 15-20 minutes. The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, nearing completion, aims to cut travel time between SLEX and NLEX from 2 hours to 20 minutes.
• Ongoing Projects: Construction is underway for several projects, including the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Expressway – Phase I), the C5 South Link Expressway, and the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project – Phase I. These aim to improve travel times in various corridors of Metro Manila.
• New Bridges: DPWH prioritizes building new bridges across Pasig River and Manggahan Floodway to provide alternative routes and decongest major roads like EDSA. Construction for some bridges, including the North & South Harbor Bridge and Palanca-Villegas Bridge, is expected to begin this year or early next year.
• Landmark Project: The 32-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, envisioned to be the country’s longest bridge, is under development. It aims to reduce travel time between Bataan and Cavite from 5 hours to 45 minutes by bypassing Metro Manila.
• EDSA Rehabilitation: The transport road and bridge rehabilitation project for EDSA is being proposed for inclusion in a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) program. This aims to improve EDSA’s condition and reduce traffic-related economic losses.
• Bridge Safety: The government prioritizes improving existing bridges’ structural integrity and seismic resilience. Rehabilitation projects for Guadalupe and Lambingan bridges are set to begin this year under a JICA-funded program.
• Collaboration: DPWH emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other government agencies, the private sector, and the community to successfully implement the decongestion plan. The agency will also continue assisting the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in road clearing and promoting active transport options like bike lanes.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and the community to ensure the success of the decongestion plan. 

The agency will also work with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to promote active transport options like bike lanes.Ⓒ