The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) claims the second elevated U-turn slot on C-5 improved the average travel speed in the area.
From a snail's pace of just 20.85 kilometers per hour (kph) in 2006 and 2007, the current travel speed in the C-5 and Kalayaan Avenue area has improved to by 86 percent to 38.84kph.
MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando, who was heavily criticized for the heavy traffic caused by the construction of the elevated U-turns on C-5, called it a "huge success."
"Perhaps there is no other like this in the world. It has sped up travel time from both ends of C-5, from the SLEX to NLEX in McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City," Fernando said.
Improved travel speed resulted in a 26.5 percent increase in the volume of vehicles traversing C-5.
With the success of the U-turn slots in the C-5/Kalayaan area, Fernando said plans are underway for a similar structure at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Batasan Road in Quezon City.
