Beginning Nov. 14, 2022 until Jan. 2 next year, there will be no road works and diggings in Metro Manila to provide relief to commuters and motorists during the Christmas season when traffic is expected to be heavier.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority acting chairman Carlo Dimayuga III said his agency will implement the moratorium, except for the government’s flagship projects, as part of the MMDA’s traffic mitigation measures for the holidays.
The moratorium will cover any diggings in the road right-of-way, including passage ways and sidewalks, within the cities or municipalities of Metro Manila for the installation, repair, or improvement of water pipes, telephone or telegraph wires or cable conduits, sewers, and drainage systems, communication and power line improvements being undertaken by any government agency, public and private contractors.
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) gave the MMDA the go signal to establish the exclusive lanes for bicycles, public utility vehicles, and motorcycles along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
The MMC, composed of 17 mayors in Metro Manila, is the governing board and the policy-making body of the MMDA.
Road Crash Statistics records from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center showed there were a total of 1,010 fatal, non-fatal, and damage to property accidents involving motorcycles along Commonwealth Avenue.
Dimayuga said the exclusive motorcycle lanes shall be implemented, pending the adjustments recommended by the Quezon City local government unit.
“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,” he said.