Manila opens second express truck lane

Expect more trucks on the stretch of Quirino Avenue and Osmeña Highway at all times as the Manila City government opens the second of its so-called “express trade lanes” on Monday. The move is aimed at easing congestion at the Manila port while still allowing traffic to move smoothly.

Manila city councilor Manuel “Letlet” Zarcal said the city government was ready to implement the new route this week after the city council ratified the Traffic Management Council (TMC) resolution listing the rules for truckers using the new trade lane.

“From Roxas Boulevard, trucks will be allowed to turn left on Quirino Avenue and then they can turn right on Osmeña Highway to reach South Superhighway and vice versa,” Zarcal told the Inquirer.

The new route will connect truckers coming from the Port Area to South Superhighway and the provinces of Laguna and Batangas and vice versa. Before this route was launched, the city government allocated the innermost lanes on the northbound and southbound sides of Roxas Boulevard for the use of truckers 24 hours a day.

Unlike Roxas Boulevard, however, the lanes dedicated to truckers on both sides of Quirino Avenue are the outermost lanes or those closest to the sidewalks.

“With Roxas Boulevard, we let them use the innermost lanes. But if they turn left to Quirino, it’s easier for them to stay in the outermost lanes since they will have to turn right to Osmeña and the South Superhighway anyway,” Zarcal said. “And on Osmeña Highway, they’re free to use whichever lane they want. After all, it’s only a few more kilometers before they leave Manila,” he added.

With report by Nathaniel Melican