http://www.mmda.gov.ph/bulletin.html#pr76
MMDA Starts Traffic Reduction Schems in Cavite
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has started clearing roads and highways of Cavite of structures and other forms of obstruction that tend to impede the flow of traffic in Bacoor and other thoroughfares leading to and from the province.
Clearing operations group personnel have started the removal of illegal structures such as “talaba”(oyster) vending stalls, barangay halls and outposts, center islands, including traffic lights and signages, on E. Aguinaldo Highway from SM to Talaba flyover, Gen. Evangelista from Aguinaldo to Panapaan, Aguinaldo from Tropical Hut to Bacoor public market, Evangelista from national Highway to Aguinaldo Highway, Niog St. and Zapote Kabila Road from Bacoor public Market to Alabang Zapote preparatory to the full implementation of the agency’s traffic reduction plans in Cavite.
Neomi Recio, chief engineer of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center’s (TEC) planning and design division, said that the agency will implement a roundabout or loop scheme to ensure a continuous, non-stop and no delays at intersections flow of vehicular traffic on the three kilometer stretch of Aguinaldo Highway to the Talaba flyover.
Recio formed part of TEC engineers led by Director Ramon Ona who have conducted traffic simulation tests in the said areas to find out whether the proposed loop traffic scheme will help reduce traffic in Bacoor.
They presented their findings of the said traffic simulation tests to Cavite barangay leaders yesterday which indicate that with the adoption of the proposed loop scheme, the current average travel time in Bacoor-Cavite areas during morning peak hours will be reduced from 16 minutes and 30 seconds to only five minutes and six seconds.
On the other hand, the same tests noted that travel speed stands to increase from 18.370 kilometers per hour to 29.809 kilometers per hour during the same peak hours.
Recio said that immediately after the clearing operations, the MMDA is set to undertake road widening projects; geometric improvements on intersections; construction of U-Turn slots; road repairs; sidewalk rehabilitation; drainage improvement installation of signages, lane markings and street lightings; construction of loading bays and footbridges; and opening of new public utility vehicle terminals.
The MMDA hopes to complete the entire traffic reduction package in Cavite in one year’s time.
President Arroyo has directed MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando to extend the agency’s traffic management duties to Cavite following complaints from motorists of the horrendous traffic situation there day in and day out.
Businessmen have also complained that their businesses have slackened due to the slow delivery and transport of their goods brought about by the traffic gridlock in Cavite.