Exclusive - DPWH Is Set To Build First Ever Bike and Pedestrian Lanes on Laguna Lake Highway Under The Duterte Administration!

Cyclists and commuters are going to be excited with this great news! The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to incorporate  bike and pedestrian lanes in the construction of the 10.7-km Laguna Lake Highway, which was formerly known as the C-6 Dike Road.

Mark Villar, DPWH Secretary, led the opening of the two new lanes or the first phase of

the project that costs Php1.2 billion. It will be alloted for the first highway in the country that will have bike lanes.

“This is the first highway in the Philippines to have bike lanes, 3 meters wide. We are planning to replicate it nationwide. The Duterte Administration is fully committed in ensuring mobility of vehicles and individuals,” Sec. Villar said.

“I think it is important that we make an infrastructure… hindi lang para sa kotse, para din sa pedestrian. This is good example [sic]. Our first project that would incorporate also the infra [sic] for pedestrian traffic,” he added.

The lanes that are newly opened extends from Napindan to M. L. Quezon section in Taguig.

Villar also mentioned that travelers between Rizal and Makati/Taguig will benefit from the said improvements for it will speed along the Laguna Lake Highway.

“With this highway, the traffic from EDSA and C5 will be greatly reduced,” he said.

The improvements include the construction or widening of two bridges, rehabilitation or concreting of existing asphalt road (10.28 kms) with provision of additional two lanes, including construction of wide planting strips, bike lanes, and sidewalks.

According to DPWH-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Melvin Navarro, the plan of incorporating bike lanes could also make the Laguna Lake Highway considered as an attraction since it is near a lake.

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“(Building bike lanes) That is part of the consideration [sic] in all our new structures… mga

bridges, we are doing a highway in Bacolod that would incorporate bike lanes,” Navarro said.

“For two reasons, for pedestrian. For our environment. To give people optional [sic] pwede mag

bike. Especially in this area katabi ng lake. So pwede maging attraction ‘yung highway,” he added.

The DPWH-NCR head also noted that the building of bridges with bike lanes is also acceptable for other cities in the country.

“Most major cities they are open to that movement. Kasi hindi naman lahat may kotse. Yun

iba kung gusto mag lakad, mag bike infra na makakatulong sa mga pedestrian, encourage

sa healthy living, exercise. That is also being encouraged, that is also improving the quality

of life,” Navarro added.

He also said that they will be collaborating with the Metro Manila Development Authority

(MMDA) in identifying areas in the NCR to determine where they should put up bike lanes.

“We would coordinate with the MMDA, we are identifying areas na maganda para sa bike

lane,” Navarro said.

Once its fully completed, the project will bring forth convenience as it will lessen travel time from Taytay in Rizal to Bicutan in Taguig by around 50 percent.

What do you think of these plans, If there were safe bike lanes in your city would you use them? Tell us in the comments section below!

Source: TNP, Iinquirer

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