DoTr eyeing EDSA motorcycle lane

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) is studying the dedication of a motorcycle lane along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) to help ease traffic congestion along the major highway.

“We already have a busway and on the right side we have a bicycle lane. We are looking at putting up a motorcycle lane in EDSA, next to the bicycle lane,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said in a media release on Sunday.

The DoTr along with other relevant government agencies, including the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), are now studying the feasibility of the proposal.

Mr. Bautista said the traffic congestion in Metro Manila costs the Philippine economy about P3.5 billion daily, citing a study of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He said that the worsening traffic congestion could hurt the country’s economy by about P9 billion daily in 2030.

“This is the economic cost of traffic, the additional fuel, additional cost, lost opportunity for growth,” Mr. Bautista said.

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the government will fast-track railway projects to address traffic congestion.

Further, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) outlined its traffic decongestion plan which focuses on the improvement and expansion of the national road network by building additional by-passes, diversion roads, expressways, flyovers, interchanges and underpasses. — Ashley Erika O. Jose