MMDA outlines Marcos Highway traffic fix: Uniform truck ban

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) met with traffic officials from Cainta, Antipolo, Marikina, and Pasig on Monday to explore strategies that would prevent another major traffic gridlock along Marcos Highway, similar to the one experienced over the weekend.

MMDA officials, headed by its GM, Procopio Lipana, spearheaded the coordination meeting at the agency’s head office in Pasig City.

Lipana said the MMDA has prepared several measures to help ease congestion along the corridor, including the harmonizing of traffic rules across all LGUs along Marcos Highway, particularly when it comes to enforcing truck bans.

“Traffic management plans of neighboring LGUs along Marcos Highway must be well-coordinated. We are eyeing the harmonization of a uniform truck ban along the entire stretch of Marcos Highway,” said the MMDA.

Officials also revealed that the MMDA plans to reopen the intersection at Marcos Highway and Gil Fernando Avenue by replacing existing concrete barriers with movable orange barriers, allowing traffic enforcers to make immediate adjustments during heavy congestion.

“What is in place at the area are concrete barriers; they will be replaced with movable orange barriers. In case there is a repeat of Saturday’s traffic situation, it can be adjusted manually,” MMDA officials said.

The four LGUs have likewise agreed to sign a memorandum of agreement with the MMDA to intensify enforcement against illegal terminals and illegal vendors in the area.

The MMDA claims that the massive traffic jam along Marcos Highway last Saturday, with some being stuck for as much as 5 hours, was attributed to the heavy volume of vehicles and incidents of motorists counterflowing.