In case you somehow managed to very luckily miss it on your trips there, Baguio City has a traffic problem. The Summer Capital's vehicle congestion issues have become so pronounced that the local government is even mulling charging visitors with cars a P50 fee to help address the problem.
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A congestion fee? Now there's an idea. But, of course, there are more conventional solutions local governments can turn to.
Meetings were held between Baguio City's barangay officials, the Traffic and Transport Management Division (TTMD), and private entities to discuss potential road widening projects. According to the local government, Baguio City is eyeing roads encroached upon and used by private individuals for road widening. These private parties include churches and academic sites, which may be opened for community use.
Baguio City TTMD engineer Januario Borillo also shared that easements are being targeted for use as parking areas, sidewalks, utilities, and underground waterways and drainages, adding that green walks should be considered in plans as well.
The city also said subdivision plans must be checked as private homeowners are already breaching other properties with fenced extensions that hamper roads' right of way.
The local government added that principal streets should measure 60 meters in width, 30 on each side of the middle line, to comply with national standards.
Topgear.com.ph. Minor edits have been made by the SPOT.ph editors.Â
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