Manila Rep. Proposes Light Rail Lines on C5 Road and Skyway to Alleviate Traffic in Metro Manila

MANILA: In an effort to address the growing traffic congestion in Metro Manila, Manila Representative Joel Chua proposed the construction of two light rail lines along C5 Road and the Metro Manila Skyway on Monday. Joel Chua, who serves as the vice chair of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, expressed his commitment to support the feasibility studies for these new light rail lines through future national budgets.

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed light rail lines are part of a broader initiative to improve the transport network in the region. Chua emphasized the need for a unified management system for all light rail lines in Metro Manila and the implementation of a single electronic ticketing system. He highlighted that the existing traffic congestion on Edsa, a major thoroughfare in the city, necessitates alternative transport options like the proposed light rail lines on C5 and under the Skyway. These new lines, Chua added, will help to ease the congestion on Edsa and offer more commuting options to residents near these areas.

Chua also brought attention to the need for additional bridges over the Pasig River to further alleviate traffic congestion on major roads parallel to Edsa. To address the bottleneck at the Guadalupe Bridge area, which connects Makati and Mandaluyong cities, he proposed the addition of a second level to the bridge.

Furthermore, Chua inquired about the status of the retrofitting project for the Guadalupe Bridge, noting that a loan agreement for the project has already been signed. The Philippines secured a loan of approximately 4.409-billion Japanese yen (over PHP2 billion) from Japan for the rehabilitation of the Guadalupe and Lambingan bridges. JICA stated that the aim of this project is to enhance the resilience of Metro Manila’s transport network by replacing and strengthening these bridges with improved seismic design specifications. This initiative is expected to contribute to the region’s secure and sustainable economic and social development and facilitate a swift recovery in the event of large-scale earthquakes in the National Capital Region.