DPWH eyes higher, stronger guardrails on Skyway

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is eyeing the installation of higher and stronger guardrails at the Skyway, where two accidents had occurred in the last 4 months.

“The railings itself could be changed to increase elevation and height. That’s all,” DPWH Undersecretary Romeo Momo said on Tuesday, March 4.

The DPWH had a meeting that day with Skyway management to determine possible improvements in the barrier design of the expressway, following accidents on the elevated road on Dec 16, 2013, and on March 2 this year.

In both instances, vehicles fell off the southbound lane.

Momo said technical experts will make recommendations on possible design changes on the Skyway.

He said the Skyway’s guardrails were constructed in accordance with the approved design standards of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), but will be further strengthened to keep vehicles from falling off the road.

Momo said while the Skyway operator, DPWH, and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) are seeking ways to enhance the safety of expressway users, motorists should also observe the design speed of the Skyway.

“Whatever changes we will make on its design, if the drivers don’t follow the design speed, they will keep on falling down,” the DPWH official said.

Last year, a Don Mariano Transit bus fell off the southbound lane of the Skyway and landed on a van in Bicutan, Parañaque, killing 18 people.

On March 2, a Skyway employee shuttle bus crashed through the guardrails and fell from the expressway when it was hit from behind by another vehicle. – Rappler.com