MMDA opens 'zipper lane' but can it ease Metro Manila traffic?

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has opened up a “zipper lane” to help ease the morning rush traffic for Christmas.

Now on its second day of implementation, the zipper lane aims to decongest traffic from Ortigas Avenue to Makati every morning in Metro Manila. 

The zipper lane will allow vehicles to a counterflow along EDSA, the Philippines’ busiest highway. The counterflow—which allow vehicles to occupy one lane going the other way—will begin from the inner northbound lane of SM Megamall to Pioneer Street. EDSA’s southbound lane is normally more congested than its roads going to the north. 

However, some motorists have questioned zipper lane, saying they just add to the bottleneck.

The lane will be opened from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. only for Friday while it will be opened from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. until December 23, except for the weekend.

The MMDA is now looking into using a zipper lane for other major roads such as C-5.