MMDA defends 'stairway to heaven'

Better to climb a "stairway to heaven" to cross the "highway to hell," the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Tuesday as it defended the P10-million steel footbridge being constructed on Edsa-Kamuning in Quezon City.

The structure which looks daunting to people with disabilities, the elderly suffering from a fear of heights is expected to be finished by the middle of the month.

Stopgap measure

Located near the Manuel L. Quezon University, the footbridge is supposed to be a stopgap measure to avoid accidents on one of Metro Manila's busiest roads, said MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.

She pointed to MMDA data which showed that at least 10 accidents happen in the area every month.

"Pedestrians are either too reckless or lazy to look for safe crossing lanes," Pialago said. "That's the best compromise we can come up with instead of allowing you to just cross Edsa. What matters to us is the safety of the public. "

Most netizens, however, begged to differ. After pictures of the footbridge went viral on social media, a lot of them called it an eyesore and safety hazard.

Most traditional footbridges have a flat, single level pathway. Some are made of concrete and have a roof to protect people from the elements.

The Kamuning footbridge on the other hand, has an inclined path that is almost 45 degrees.

At its highest point, it is at least three meters above the cable wires of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3).

The design was necessary because of the MRT 3 railway tracks between the GMA-Kamuning and Quezon Avenue stations are almost the same level as the road. If that stretch had been elevated, this would have allowed the footbridge to be built underneath.

No overhead protection

Critics have also pointed out that the structure is completely exposed to no overhead protection.

Pialago explained that the MMDA is intended to prevent it from being used as a shelter or a hunting ground for muggers.

If the MMDA had its way, it said, the footbridge would have been made of concrete. But the agency's lack of funds often mean making with all the resources it has.

"We can assure the public that the bridge is as safe as it can be," she said. "But if they still think it's too risky, then I suggest they walk another 500m to the left to cross the Timog bridge, or the extra 500m to the right to cross Quezon Avenue. That's where they should be crossing the first place. "

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