Motorists can look forward to much faster travel time along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City once the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) finishes its redevelopment plan on the highway next year.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said construction and repair works at the eight-kilometer span of Commonwealth Avenue from Quezon Memorial Circle to Doña Carmen is more than 50 percent complete, well in time for its projected completion in 2010.

“Motorists and commuters will experience faster travel on a well-paved road with more than enough footbridges for pedestrians, loading stations for commuters, and even a bicycle lane,” Fernando said, likening the redeveloped highway to the United States’ interstate highway system.MMDA- Traffic Engineering Center Director Ramon Ona said average travel speed would climb to 80 kph from the current 50 kph once all improvements are in place at Commonwealth.

Started three years ago, the redevelopment scheme primarily reclaims the thoroughfare’s original 95-meter wide road-right-of-way.

Part of the agency’s Metro Gwapo project, the overhaul of Commonwealth Avenue involves the construction of footbridges and loading bays for public utility vehicles (PUVs); parking and emergency areas, and an improved drainage system.

by Ellson Quismorio, Tempo

Tsikot.com Philippines