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Tag Archives: underpasses
On at-grade crossings and footbridges
Here’s a quick share of an article on how at-grade crossings are generally better and preferred over footbridges:
When Footbridges Cost Lives and At-Grade Crossings Save Them
The article effectively articulates the case for at-grade crossings and presents the facts and references in support of these crossings. I will only add here that context is still important along with an appreciation or understanding of the volume of traffic and occupancy of vehicles along the roads. Commonwealth Avenue, for example, requires footbridges but there should be better designs for these footbridges than the current ones along this highway. I think we lack good designs that we can refer to and this leads to a summary dismissal of footbridges where they are actually most suitable.
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Lagusnilad now
The underpass across from the Manila City Hall is called Lagusnilad. The underpass is prone to flooding and had been neglected for a long time under several administrations spanning several Presidents, DPWH Secretaries and Manila Mayors. Kudos to the recent Mayor and DPWH officials who finally addressed the flooding problem as well as improved the pavement and lighting for Lagusnilad.
Approach to the lowest point of the underpass from Padre Burgos Avenue, one notes the now well-lit underpass and the solar studs marking the lanes.
The lowest section of the underpass is prone to flooding but major rehab works to the drainage plus new pumps appear to have addressed the problem.
Emerging from the underpass towards Taft Avenue
I have memories of when this underpass was often flooded back in the 1990s including a time when vehicles braved the waters and got stuck after drivers discovered just how deep the waters can be. The joke then was that the underpass would be renamed ‘Langoynilad’, alluding to people and vehicles having to swim to traverse this section.
There is also a pedestrian underpass that is called Lagusnilad. This connects City Hall with Intramuros and used to be so dirty and stinky. Again, credit is due to recent officials who rehabilitated the underpass to what is now a tourist attraction but more importantly a good practice example for pedestrian facilities.
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Caught (up) in traffic 