Mendoza said the flyover is expected to cut travel time to the domestic and international airports by 30 minutes to an hour, instead of the longer route through Roxas Boulevard.
"This project complements the MRT Line 3 facility for it alleviates the traffic situation along this corridor and enhances access to key places in Pasay and Parañaque such as the domestic and international airports, and ease the heavy traffic being experienced by motorists plying the EDSA southbound," Mendoza said.
He stressed that the newly-built flyover, which cost P131 million, was made possible by the DOTC and Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC) under the MRT 3 project, as a supplement contract due to the ground-level construction of the rail system that blocked the EDSA-Aurora Avenue intersection.
Mendoza also said the project is part of President Arroyo’s eight-point agenda to decongest traffic in Metro Manila.
"The completion of the Tramo flyover is also another way of living up to the challenge of providing an integrated network of transportation system to put in place a lasting solution to the heavy traffic congestion in the Metropolis," he said.
Aside from the DOTC secretary, present during the affair were other government officials namely: DOTC Undersecretary for Rail Sector Jose Cortes; Engr. Mario Miranda, general manager of the MRT and Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad.
In a statement, Manda said personnel assigned at the NAIA Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the Manila Domestic Terminal, are ready to handle the huge volume of passengers flying to the provinces and abroad.
Manda assured the public that everything is being done to make their Holy Week trip "hassle-free and comfortable."
The traffic re-routing scheme, dubbed "Oplan Kalakbay," started at 7 a.m. yesterday and will be in place until April 21, 2003. The public is advised to take Electrical Road (one-way southbound up to Atayde Pass) coming from Andrews Avenue in going to the Manila Domestic Terminal.
Meanwhile, the number of checkpoints will be expanded and manned by Airport police, Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and private security guards to ease traffic and prevent crime.
Manda said passenger assistance counters will be placed at strategic locations such as the Manila Domestic Airport lobby and the NAIA Terminal 2 for medical and security emergencies and for flight information.
He said medical teams will also be on standby at information counters, while additional doctors will be deployed at the Quarantine, Immigration and Customs counters to further tighten screening against possible carriers of the deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.
Special areas will also be placed for chance passengers. The names of these passengers will be listed and forwarded to airline companies for boarding in case of cancellations or non-appearance by booked passengers. – With Sandy Araneta