Gov’t spent PhP 4.069-million on EDSA MC lane

Money well spent?

Last month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported that the 497-kilometer bicycle lane network across Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao has been completed, with a total bill of PhP 1.09-billion. The budget was disbursed by the DOTr, while the construction and billing was done by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

On average, the bicycle lane costs PhP 2.193-million per kilometer.

Naturally, the public, especially motorcyclists, asked why the bicycle lane network racked up the amount that it did. Many also asked how much was spent on the motorcycle lane (MC lane).

Thanks to Executive Order No. 2, series of 2016 by President, Rodrigo Duterte, information about government projects can be requested through the Freedom of Information portal (FOI).

_{Screenshot of the memorandum sent by the MMDA to MotoPinas.com}

Of all the MC lanes across Metro Manila, EDSA is likely the most famous among motorcycle riders. As such, we'll be using this as a reference. The non-exclusive EDSA MC lane was established in 2012 through the Metro Manila Council’s Memorandum Circular 12-01, series of 2012.

The penalty for violating the EDSA MC lane is PhP 500.00.

So how much did the EDSA MC lane cost? The answer: PhP 4,069,520.00, or about PhP 84,782 per kilometer from the Mall of Asia in Pasay, to Monumento and back (48 kilometers).

MC lane status

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the implementation of the EDSA MC lane has been suspended until further notice, said the MMDA. The government has yet to decide whether to maintain the MC lane, which now sits beside the EDSA Carousel (bus lane), or maybe move it to another lane closer to the bicycle lane.

As of this writing, we’re still waiting for the breakdown of costs for the entire bicycle lane project that spans across Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. According to the DOTr, the cost varies due to a couple of reasons, particularly, the type of bicycle lane (Class 1, 2 or 3), the materials used (not limited to markers and paint). The DOTr also wanted to emphasize that the bicycle lane network was done in haste to give cyclists and other active transport users their safe space on the road, especially in this time of crisis where mass transport is on a limited operational capacity.

We’ll update you with the story once we receive the FOI response from the concerned agencies.