MMDA to put up moto lanes along Commonwealth Avenue

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will establish the exclusive lanes for bicycles, public utility vehicles, and motorcycles along Commonwealth Avenue.

The move is set after the Metro Manila Council (MMC), which is made up of mayors in the National Capital Region, "agreed in principle" for the special road lanes to be created in the area, which is expected to ensure the safety of road users while promoting the decongestion of traffic flow.

MMDA Acting Chairman Engr. Carlo Dimayuga III said that the exclusive motorcycle lanes shall be realized pending the adjustments recommended by the local government of Quezon City.

"The exclusive motorcycle lanes located at the third lane from the right along Commonwealth will depend upon the road conditions as the road has some inconsistencies in terms of lane width due to different construction projects," Dimayuga explained. 

Based on the MMDA Resolution 22-15, the right outermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue shall be the exclusive bicycle lane, while the second lane and third lane will be designated as exclusive Public Utility Vehicle and motorcycle lanes, respectively.

All the other lanes are to be shared by all other motor vehicle users.

The agency — in coordination and cooperation with the Department of Public Works and Highways, as well as the Quezon City LGU — shall install appropriate traffic signs and apply the proper lane markings along Commonwealth Avenue from Elliptical Road to Doña Carmen Subdivision and vice versa as a guide to motorists and to delineate the exclusive lanes from one another.

The MMDA shared in a statement the road crash statistics from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center stating that a total of 1,010 fatal, non-fatal, and damage to property accidents involving motorcycles have already occurred along Commonwealth Avenue.

Truck ban in Roxas Boulevard

Relatively, the MMC also approved the implementation of a temporary truck ban along Roxas Boulevard while there is an ongoing DPWH construction in the area, specifically in front of the U.S Embassy.

According to the MMDA Resolution 22-16, trucks and trailers, with gross capacity weight of more than 4,500 kilograms, are temporarily prohibited to use Roxas Boulevard, Manila to avoid deterioration. Instead, they shall use original truck routes from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to Osmeña Highway to President Quirino Avenue or from Port Area to SLEX.

 Below are the aforementioned routes for the trucks while the Roxas Boulevard is being repaired:

From SLEX to Port Area

Coming from South Luzon Expressway, trucks are advised to head straight to Osmeña Highway to President Quirino Avenue, turn left to Plaza Dilao towards President Quirino Extension, left at UN Avenue, right to Romualdez, left to Ayala Avenue/P. Burgos Avenue, then turn right to Bonifacio Drive to destination.

From Port Area to SLEX

From Bonifacio Drive, truck drivers are instructed to turn left to P. Burgos/Ayala Boulevard, right to San Marcelino, left to President Quirino Avenue then right turn to President Osmeña Highway to reach SLEX.

Further, the MMDA chief said that the agency will implement a moratorium on road diggings, except for the government’s flagship projects, from November 14 up to January 2, as part of the MMDA’s traffic mitigation measures in time for the holidays.

Photos from Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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