Philippine Highways and Major Roadways

[ryanr]

hehehe...from now on, just share what you see. It doesnt matter if everyone has seen it. Chances are, we havent, or some of us havent.

[renell]

I've heard of the photographer, yet not seen his fast array of photos.

[JudeD]

Views from the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Highway. Parts of it are still under construction. This highway was heavily damaged during the recent typhoons. It leads to where they're supposed to start building the new "Pacific Port City" in Aurora. That's the Pacific Ocean you can see. The final stretch of highway leading to the ocean is really stunning, it's like that scene at the end of Dark City.

[JudeD]

Here's more. It's a cove so you get to see the hills meet and embrace the ocean, the water is very flat.

[JudeD]

As of now the area is not very developed, so transforming it into a major port is going to be a huge project. You need to pass through stretches of dirt road just to get there.

[bagel]

Thanks for those pictures Jude!

I remember seeing plans for this development in 1999 when I was working for the government. The plans projected this as a future development hub for the Philippines and touted not only the strategic location on Luzon's east coast (for easy access to Pacific Ocean trade routes), its natural deep-water bay, and the fact that Luzon's east coast is not overbuilt, but also the feng-shui qualities of such a location! Apparently, east facing ports do very well-- Hong Kong, Singapore, Hiroshima and New York (neglecting the fact that the largest US ports are westward facing) were his examples. According to feng shui experts, one of the reasons why Manila didn't do too well was because the sun is always setting on it! My supervisor couldn't have been serious about the feng shui stuff, but I actually do see the real potential of this site. Maybe the cosmology part was part of the investment pitch to would-be Chinese investors.

The long-term plan proposals actually included a commercial, industrial processing and educational development zones which had room for a major university; the new city would be divided into quadrants. It all sounds really exciting.

[bagel]

While searching for Mazda Philippines offerings for another thread, I ran into this article which made me think of the conversation we had earlier in the Highway C-6 thread.

This little piece is from AutoIndustriya.com. Please visit this webpage as there are some pretty interesting articles about motoring in the Philippines and because I don't like to steal info from webpages that should be patronized. My only beef with this article is that it's poorly edited. I wonder if the other articles on AutoIndustriya are as poorly written.
The article: http://www.autoindustriya.com/articles/fa00034.shtml

But here it is anyway. Just be sure to visit the webpage.

Metro Manila's Road Network

Author: Raymond D. Young
Photos courtesy of Department of Public Works and Highways

The major thoroughfares of the metropolis are classified as either a circumferential road or a radial road. But just what is a circumferential and a radial road by the way?

In layman's terms, circumferential roads are those roads that are meant to traverse the whole or a big portion of the metropolis. Radial roads, meanwhile, are those secondary roads also traverse multiple parts of the metropolis but the area covered by these roads are smaller, and they are also meant to connect circumferential roads to each other.

Another thing one could note upon seeing Manila's road network is that a circumferential road or a radial road bears several names because it traverses several areas. It's the prerogative of whoever is seated on the local government of the area, through a local ordinance, to either preserve the existing name of the road or replace it with a name that would be relevant to the area in which the road cuts through.

CIRCUMFERENTIAL ROADS

I. C-1 : Padre Burgos St., Ayala Boulevard, P. Casal St. and C.M. Recto Avenue
Location: City of Manila

C-1 is indeed the first circumferential road network to exist,as characterized by the infrastructure surrounding it like the old Senate Building, Rizal Park, and Intramuros. Compared to other circumferential road networks, C-1 is relatively shorter. The C-1 road network lets one traverse the Southwestern and Western areas of the capital.

II. C-2 : Pres. Quirino Avenue, Nagtahan, A.H. Lacson St. (Gov. Forbes) and Tayuman
Location: City of Manila

Commercial/residential fixtures characterize the area in which this road cuts through. It also provides a mix of other infrastructures such as schools, government offices (Malacanang is situated along this area), and oil depots of the region. The end of Tayuman, on the other hand, leads one to the major ports of the capital. The C-2 road network lets one traverse the Southern and Northwestern areas of the capital.

III. C-3 : Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, South Avenue, Trabajo St., Coronado St., San Francisco St., 9 de Pebrero St., Shaw Boulevard., F. Manalo St., San Juan Bridge, G. Araneta Avenue, Sgt. Rivera St., and 5th Avenue
Location: Makati City, Mandaluyong City, San Juan, Quezon City and Navotas

This particular road network is very useful, especially for those frequenting the Port Area This network provides a quick way to get from Makati to Mandaluyong to San Juan. Going further straight ahead in Araneta Avenue leads one to Sgt. Rivera and to the Manila North Harbor in Navotas City. The C-3 road network lets one traverse the Southern and North/Northwestern parts of the capital.

The MMDA is currently thinking of other ways to solve the problem, to the point that chairman Bayani Fernando is thinking of ramming down the gates of exclusive villages so that the general public can use their roads. The Supreme Court has already decided on this controversial issue during the term of former chairman Jejomar Binay, so I don’t think the current chairman can do anything except beat his chest. Besides, he might disenfranchise several influential families who live in these exclusive villages and get into trouble with the supporters of his supporter, President GMA.

IV. C-4 : Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA)
Location: Caloocan City, Quezon City, Pasig City, Mandaluyong City,
Makati City, Paranaque City, City of Manila

One ain't Filipino unless he knew of EDSA. From its daily traffic jams and three bloodless revolutions, EDSA (Highway 54 to some folks) is perhaps the best-known circumferential road. Primarily designed to ease up vehicular volume in the areas it cuts through, it has ably performed its purpose. This network also is the well-funded of them all, with its share of fly-overs and underpasses, and of course, the MRT. It's just straight ahead in here, no other names to remember, unlike the aforementioned networks. EDSA lets one cut through the whole metropolis. Almost every major road in the metropolis leads to EDSA.

V. C-5 : E. Rodriguez Avenue, B. Serrano Avenue (Santolan), Katipunan Road, Luzon Avenue, Republic Avenue
Location: Fairview, Loyola Heights, Libis and Bagumbayan in Quezon City, Pasig City, Taguig, Makati City

Up to now it has to be determined if this particular road network is 100% complete. Right-of-way problems (squatters, factories and other establishments) and other political problems led to the shelving of this project maybe twice or thrice. Originally a brainchild of former President Marcos, he initially envisioned a road that would literally cut through the metropolis. Literally in the sense that he wants this road to cut through the hilly portions of Taguig, Pasig and Makati. A wider Luzon Avenue has yet to materialize and Republic Avenue road area in Fairview remained a haven for informal settlers. The C-5 road lets one traverse the Northern, Eastern and Southern parts of the metropolis.

VI. C-6 : (ongoing)
Location: Bulacan, Rizal provinces, Marikina City, Antipolo City, Pasig City, Taytay, Rizal, Taguig, Paranaque City

The C-6 road cuts through the Northern suburban part of the Metropolis , particularly the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. Potential right of way problems and terrain problems are some issues that keep the project from being in full swing. But when finished, this would be a great relief especially for those residing in the outskirts of the metropolis.



RADIAL ROADS

I. R-1 : Roxas Boulevard and Manila-Cavite Road (Aguinaldo Highway)

The historic Roxas Boulevard (Dewey Boulevard to some) has been lengthened to include the Manila-Cavite Road, otherwise known as Aguinaldo Highway. Nowadays, Cavite has traded its farming lands to commercial and residential development, while the cool city of Tagaytay is just kilometers away.

II. R-2 : Taft Avenue Road

Numerous schools and universities line up Taft Avenue. Some government offices also like the National Bureau of Investigation, Phil. Gen. Hospital and the Supreme Court are situated in this area. Taft Avenue is now also a major thoroughfare that leads to fantastic night spots, specifically in the Malate Area.

III. R-3 : Manila South Expressway

From Alabang, Muntinlupa, to Los Banos, Laguna, it's only the Manila South Expressway that could take you there. Now has an elevated portion called the Skyway if one's in a hurry.

IV. R-4 : Pasig Line and Kalayaan Avenue

The ambitious but essential R-4 road network has been slightly deviated to give way to the Pasig Expressway (PASEX) project. Under the proposal, the 15 km expressway runs west from Makati area and then north to Ortigas Avenue. It promises to provide a link to residential and commercial areas of Pasig and Makati.

V. R-5 : V. Mapa St., P. Sanchez, Shaw Boulevard, Pasig Boulevard

From Manila, this is a proven network if one wishes to travel towards the Eastern portions of the metropolis, particularly Pasig ang Pateros.

VI. R-6 : Legarda, Magsaysay Boulevard, Aurora Boulevard, Marcos Highway and Sumulong Highway

Another road network that traverses the district's University Belt Area. It also cuts through historical districts such as San Juan and Sta. Mesa. It cuts through five cities, namely, Manila, Quezon City, San Juan, Marikina and Antipolo. This serves as a link to the eastern and the western sectors of the capital.

VII. R-7 : Lerma, España, Quezon Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue

Another important road network in the metropolis. From the University Belt area, and then straight ahead to Espana (one of the oldest roads to exist), and then going straight ahead leads one to the northeastern part of the capital, particularly Fairview and Novaliches, both in Quezon City. This network also serves as a major link between the city of Manila and Quezon City.

VIII. R-8 : Quezon Boulevard, Andalucia, Dimasalang, A. Bonifacio Avenue and Quirino Highway

Don't be confused with the name Quezon Blvd. This particular Quezon Blvd. pertains to the one in Quiapo, Manila, passing by the Quiapo Church. Travelling straight ahead brings one to Andalucia St. Afterwards, by making a slight right, Dimasalang St. is now being traversed. Going straight ahead leads one to the North Cemetery / Chinese General Hospital area and A. Bonifacio St. Going further leads one to Quirino Highway (Novaliches-Ipo road), which is the first route to the town of Novaliches in Quezon City.

IX. R-9 : J. Rizal Avenue and McArthur Highway

Rizal Avenue or simply Avenida to some folks, this is the proven path that leads to the downtown areas of the metropolis, particularly Sta. Cruz, Binondo, Quiapo and Divisoria, all in the city of Manila, whereas taking the other side of this road leads to the Malabon, Valenzuela and Bulacan areas.

X. R-10 : Radial Road 10

Coming from Roxas Blvd and then straight ahead leads one to this road. This particular road network is meant to cut through the northwestern part of the metropolis, particularly Malabon and Navotas area. This is also another route if one wishes to go to the ports of the capital.



© 2004 Double B Web Solutions All Rights Reserved.
AUTOINDUSTRIYA.COM - THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

[ryanr]

Nice pictures, Jude. A lot of Philippines' rural roads are like that, but its good that the govt is upgrading the roads across the country, albeit slowly.

Mike is right, that area of Luzon has naturally deep waters ideal for shipping ports. Additionally, it faces the USA and Canada for easy international trade and to use as a hub. It is also a good shipping site for trading with Australia, NZ and Japan. There are long term plans of developing that area into a world class shipping port and business/industrial city. But that could take a long time. Part of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac highway is supposed to stretch all the way to the east for this development, if im not mistaken.

[ryanr]

lol...mike i always go to autoindustriya. Its one of my favorite local auto websites. I guess i overlooked that article and didnt post it here

Another good site for Philippine automotive news: www.motioncars.com
And their discussion board (im a member of it) : http://p083.ezboard.com/fmotioncarsfrm12

[PnoyD2Tayo]

I remember eating chicken over San Juanico when I was kid, and throwing the bones into the water below, and the bone disappearing in air, it was awesome! For me the best flyover is the OG flyover in Magallanes. Built in the 1975!

[PnoyD2Tayo]

The Mactan resembles the Sunshine Skyway!

[thomasian]

Originally Posted by PnoyD2Tayo

I remember eating chicken over San Juanico when I was kid, and throwing the bones into the water below, and the bone disappearing in air, it was awesome! For me the best flyover is the OG flyover in Magallanes. Built in the 1975!

Huh? The "bone disappearing in the air"? How could that happen

[SKYLINEPIGEON]

World’s longest bridge-road span rising in RP

The Magsaysay Bridge in Butuan City will be the longest road span in the world.

This was disclosed by Caraga Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Romeo Momo who said construction work is currently on schedule and targeted to be finished by November 2008.

The government is also determined to make the road a "tourist attraction" like the now famous "London Bridge" in Great Britain’s capital.

In a press briefing in Butuan City recently, with officials of Philippine Press Inc. (Phil. Press) and members of the Butuan Press Club Foundation, Inc., Momo said that to-date, construction works of Butuan’s alternate bridge is 17.8 percent complete and expected to be finished ahead of its November 2008 deadline.

Two Japanese construction firms, the Nippon Steel and Towa Construction agreed to work on the ambitious project estimated to cost R2.88 billion backed up by a soft loan agreement from the Japanese government.

The bridge which has a total road span length of 13.21 kilometers will make it the world’s longest road span connecting the bypass roads of the existing Iligan-Cagayan-Butuan City Road and Surigao Butuan Road.

Its roadway width of 11.4 meters is also "the first of its kind in Asia," Momo said.

The longest bridge in the Philippines today is the San Juanico Bridge connecting the islands of Leyte and Samar.

[renell]

Originally Posted by thomasian

Huh? The "bone disappearing in the air"? How could that happen

maybe because of the height of the bridge over the water........

[pau_p1]

An update on the C5-Boni Serrano-Katipunan Bridge-Tunnel... this is now half-way done... the Bridge part is now open to traffic since January 3. Its quite nice.. and I hope by February or March the Tunnel part would be finished...

anyways, the Bridge part gives a good view of Eastwood City

[thomasian]

I hope I can get to that bridge so I could see Eastwood from afar and above street level.

[Solblanc]

err, unfortunately, the flyover has high walls. You'd have better luck looking at eastwood from the ground

[absent-minded]

I have no idea where this is, but it sounds really good.. hehe... I hope we can see pictures some time after it's completed...

[thomasian]

Originally Posted by Solblanc

err, unfortunately, the flyover has high walls. You'd have better luck looking at eastwood from the ground

So maybe you should be riding a bus to see that "Eastwood view" from the flyover.

[stephencua]

just got some news today that on january 15 the intersection of makati ave and ayala ave will be undergoing construction for a new underpass..

just thought you guys would want to know.. i dont know where i can upload the picture about the ordinance though..