Counter-clockwise scheme in Makati?

The Central Business District (CBD) of Makati City is the next target of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the implementation of its counter-clockwise traffic scheme experiment, similar to that of which is currently in effect at the Ortigas Center.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando stressed, however, that the implementation of the scheme at the Makati CBD depends on the results of ongoing experiments at Ortigas.

The counter-clockwise traffic scheme at the Ortigas Center is still subject to many changes as the MMDA and the Ortigas Center Association Inc. are still looking for ways to improve the flow of traffic.

A month into the implementation of the counter-clockwise scheme at the Ortigas Center, the MMDA has been plagued with complaints from confused and frustrated motorists. They decried the inefficiency of the scheme, which has resulted in constant traffic jams, particularly on the sidestreets.

However, the MMDA claimed the situation has actually improved at the Ortigas Center in contrast to the first week of implementation where the intersections were clogged up with vehicles due to the unfamiliarity with the scheme.

Fernando said the MMDA is currently experimenting only with the flow of traffic without touching any of the physical structures.

Eventually, the MMDA intends to remove the center islands in order to give more space for the vehicles to maneuver under the "clearway traffic concept."

The "clearway" is what the MMDA calls the conversion of major roads into rotunda style roadways where vehicles move continuously without the hassle of stopping at intersections.

Around six major thoroughfares are being eyed for conversion into clearways, namely EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia) and Quirino Avenue.

Under the scheme, affected roads will have no more crossings at intersections so the vehicles will move continuously.

Fernando said the MMDA is currently working on the periphery of Makati City as part of the preparations for the experiments at the CBD.

He explained that clearing peripheral roads will free up the CBD from a significant volume of vehicles.

Once the improvements at peripheral roads are concluded, then the experiments at the CBD will commence.