BCDA plans infra projects to address congestion
Updated December 20, 2016 – 12:00am
http://www.philstar.com/
MANILA, Philippines – The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) plans to pursue next year development of infrastructure projects that will address road and air traffic congestion.
Dizon said BCDA would serve as the implementing agency for BGC-NAIA BRT system which is expected to cover some 10 to 12 kilometers.
“BRT is important for us for traffic congestion. A BRT is practically a train but it’s a bus, meaning it is dedicated, there are stations, there are timetables in the stations, and no other car can pass it. With a BRT from BGC to NAIA, we can guarantee travel time of 15 to 20 minutes,” he said.
Dizon said a portion of the project would likely be underground, while most of it would be on level ground.
“It’s about time that we have this infrastructure in the country,” he said.
China Road and Bridge Corp. is currently undertaking the project’s feasibility study. It is expected to be completed by March or April next year.
According to Dizon, the Chinese firm offered to do the study under non-binding terms and at zero cost to the government.
“Hopefully we can start this next year. If we do, I think this can be completed by 2019 as construction would take two years,” he said.
Aside from the BRT system, Dizon said BCDA also intends to commence development of the Clark International Airport together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“We need a new terminal. BCDA and DOTr will build a new terminal next year,” he said.
Dizon said the plan is to expand the terminal by some 82,000 square meters to accommodate eight million passengers.
He said public-private partnership is among the options being considered for the project’s implementation.
