E-bikes and e-trikes have been making headlines these past few weeks due to new policies being implemented by transport agencies. While all this was happening, what many may have missed is that two business tycoons are now in talks to build new expressways in Metro Manila.
According to a report by Inquirer.net, Metro Pacific Tollways’ (MPTC) Manuel V. Pangilinan and San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) Ramon S. Ang are in talks to combine their toll road assets to form one infrastructure company, and that “up for discussion” at the moment are elevated expressways along Katipunan Avenue and EDSA.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Five-year suspension of PNR operations in Metro Manila begins on March 28
ICYMI: SC on single ticketing system, LRT-1 Cavite Extension update, Cebu BRT design
Pangilinan said he suggested building an elevated portion on Katipunan and C5, while Ang was the one who suggested the elevated expressway on EDSA.
This proposal isn’t new, nor does it sound farfetched. You may recall in the past that SMC already floated the idea of building an expressway on EDSA. Lest we forget, there’s also the proposed Pasig River Expressway (PAREX). Whether or not these elevated tollways on major thoroughfares will rid our streets of traffic remains to be seen, but if the effects of Skyway Stage 3 are anything to go by, then we’re not expecting more toll roads to be more beneficial than detrimental.
