‘Underpass may worsen flooding on Q. Avenue’

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to review the ongoing construction of a four-lane underpass at the intersection of Quezon Avenue and Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, saying it could worsen flooding in the area.

In the agency’s weekly radio program, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said Sunday he had written to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to ask him to reconsider the project, given the volume of floodwater that accumulated at the intersection at the height of Tropical Storm “Falcon.”

“I asked Secretary Singson if it’s possible to construct a flyover instead of an underpass… I’m still waiting for his response,” Tolentino said, adding that he and the Quezon City government shared the same concern.

Although the underpass may help improve traffic on the major thoroughfare, the MMDA chief said it could worsen the flooding problem at the intersection.

Floodwaters in the area reached as high as three to four feet due to monsoon rains spawned by Falcon more than a week ago.

The Araneta-Talayan area is one of the flood-prone priority areas identified by the MMDA.

Tina Velasco, the agency’s assistant general manager and spokesperson, said the DPWH earlier assured them that several measures would be implemented to help manage the flood problem, including the installation of submersible pumps.

“Flooding is the main concern since the area is near San Francisco River. But the [DPWH said] the project would be designed in such a way that it could absorb the capacity of the river when it overflows,” Ms. Velasco added.

Velasco said one factor that the DPWH might have considered for the project was the proposed plan to construct an overhead light train system (Metro Rail Transit 4 project) in the area.

“And perhaps based on their economics, putting up a third level highway is [more] costly if indeed the MRT4 project is in the pipeline,” Velasco added.

Tolentino, however, cited the MRT 3, which found a solution despite the flyovers in the Ortigas area.

“I hope the DPWH would consider that,” Tolentino said.