QC completes more than 5-km GORA lane

The Quezon City government today launched its 5.39-kilometer redeveloped pedestrian corridor dubbed as the Green, Open, Renewable, Access (GORA) lane.

The first of its kind in the city, Mayor Joy Belmonte said the GORA lane aims to encourage citizens to walk and ‘go places’ by providing mobility and access through a network of sustainable, walkable, safe, accessible, and beautiful streets. 

“We’re glad that this project turned out to be a success. We hope our citizens will find this lane not only beautiful but also useful to them, and that they will favor walking to their last-mile destinations, if possible, than riding their vehicles,” Belmonte said. 

The GORA Lane, which passes through Doña Hemady Avenue, Scout Tobias Street, and Mother Ignacia Avenue, provides residents with access to three major roads — Aurora Blvd., Quezon Avenue, and EDSA.

The project includes the creation of wider sidewalks and pocket parks with better lighting, wayfinding signages, planting strips, and public art installations that will make the streets more walkable and attractive for the public. 

It will also connect major transportation lines, namely LRT 2-Gilmore Station, MRT3-GMA Kamuning Station, and MRT3-Quezon Avenue Station. 

“Our residents deserve more open space than ever and our recovery will come to life on these streets,” said Belmonte, highlighting the importance of active modes of transport such as walking amidst the limited public transportation and mobility due to the pandemic.

Likewise, the development is expected to boost economic activity by connecting commercial areas such as Gilmore, Robinsons Magnolia, Tomas Morato, and Timog. 

The completion of the GORA lane project contributes to the realization of Belmonte’s 14-point agenda, specifically agenda item number 10, which is to build a livable, green, and sustainable city.  (QC-LGU) – jlo