MMDA to implement new traffic scheme in North EDSA

MMDA enforcer. Photo courtesy of MMDA’s official Facebook page.

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said it will implement a new scheme to ease traffic congestion at the North Avenue-Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) area in Quezon City.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the “geometric improvements” along EDSA North Avenue will lessen the traffic build-up in the area by more than 20 percent.

The geometric improvements include the adjustment of bus separators, removal of unloading bays, and some modifications on U-turn slots in front of SM North EDSA.

According to Tolentino, the scheme will improve traffic and increase travel speed to 24.83 percent.

Tolentino said they were able to determine the increase in travel speed through simulation, which was done last month.

Neomie Recio, MMDA traffic engineering head, said the agency finished the improvements during the first week of January.

Tolentino said they modified the U-turn slot near the mall to a “bikini island,” which he described as bikini in shape, to address chokepoints in the area.

He said the slowdown in the area was caused by passenger jeepneys from North Avenue who use the U-turn slot at the center island near the mall.

Tolentino said the new scheme will also prevent accidents in the area.