spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

MMDA says no more road diggings

- Advertisement -

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has formed a special team to inspect and ensure there will be no road diggings and excavation on major thoroughfares in the run up to the Christmas season.

The move, according to MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos, would provide relief to commuters and motorists during the Yuletide when traffic is expected to be heavy.

Orbos said the team, composed of 36 personnel of the agency’s Traffic Engineering Center, will see to it there will be no road works along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue and other major thoroughfares beginning this month until Jan. 9 next year.

MMDA records showed there are about 200 unfinished road works, most of them are drainage improvement projects, on major roads connecting Edsa—from Monumento in Caloocan City to Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City—and other streets in Metro Manila.

ROADWORKS CANCELED. Metro Manila Development authorities have stopped temporarily road diggings and excavations, like this shown in file photo in a city of the metropolis, as the Christmas holidays approach, expected to provide relief to thousands of motorists and commuters in the national capital. Andrew Rabulan

MMDA officials and representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways, city and district engineers and members of the Inter-agency Council on Traffic came up with the three-month moratorium to stop the diggings because of the anticipated massive increase in vehicular traffic during the peak buying months.

- Advertisement -

The government is no longer issuing new permits in line with the moratorium beginning Nov. 1.

“The team will be going around to check them. We will file a case against any person who will violate the moratorium,” said Orbos.

At present, only flagship projects being undertaken by the national government are exempted from the moratorium on road excavations, including bridge repair/construction, emergency leak repairs of water concessionaires, and construction of flood interceptors.

The MMDA is expecting a 20 percent increase in traffic volume this Christmas because of the influx of people and vehicles from Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Central Luzon.

Even without the moratorium, the MMDA urged contractors to cover the diggings with steel plates so the road could still be used by motorists.

Last week, motorists encountered monstrous traffic on major roads leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airports, because according to the MMDA, there was demolition works which was not properly coordinated with the authorities.

Orbos said they already sent letters to the entity that won the contract of the NAIA Expressway project and its contractor D.M. Consunji Inc. to explain the demolition of the existing Skyway ramp of NAIA expressway that caused traffic in the area.

He said they are considering filing a civil case on the matter.

“If there are government personnel involved in their action then proper representation with the Office of the Ombudsman will be made,” Orbos said.

DMCI is the contractor of two ongoing major projects – Skyway Stage 3 and NAIA Elevated Expressway projects. Both projects are affecting the traffic flow in the southern part of Metro Manila.

Orbos said the contractor made the demolition despite knowing there will be influx of passengers going to the airport for a long-weekend holiday break in connection with the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

He added the contractor failed to coordinate with I-ACT or the MMDA about the road works.

The contractor is supposed to finish the NAIA expressway in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting last year.

The cause of delay was due to the road right-of-way and drainage system problems, and massive flooding in the area of Sucat and Airport roads.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles