Traffic on MacArthur Highway rerouted today

Motorists and commuters alike are expected to raise a collective howl as traffic is expected to get snarled with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) starting the reconstruction of the 73-year-old Tullahan Bridge along MacArthur Highway at the boundary of Malabon and Valenzuela City officially on Friday.

A dry run of the traffic rerouting plan takes effect at 6 a.m. today and is expected to last until the bridge’s construction is complete, authorities said yesterday.

The STAR has learned that the DPWH and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the agencies directly in-charge of the bridge construction, failed to promptly advise the public of the expected inconvenience they face today, leaving Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian to go it alone and inform the public.

Public transport unions have earlier complained that the some of the detour roads are not wide enough to take the volume of traffic.

The proposed detour route for light vehicles, passenger jeepneys and buses and delivery trucks was released to The STAR only at past five in the afternoon yesterday.

Going north, all vehicles, except buses, from MacArthur Highway in Potrero, Malabon must turn right at Victoneta Subdivision, left at detour bridge, left to R. Delfin Street, left to A. Fernando Street and out to the highway again.

Another route directs motorists to turn right at R. Valenzuela Extension, turn left at Espiritu Street, left at Pio Valenzuela Street, turn right to exit at MacArthur Highway and on to destination.

Delivery trucks of industrial establishments at R. Delfin Street are advised to use A. Fernando Street as access road.

Delivery trucks coming from Constantino Subdivision and San Miguel Heights should use Pio Valenzuela Street as access road.

Passenger jeepneys will use A. Fernando Street, to R. Delfin Street, detour bridge and Victoneta Subdivision as designated route for both north and south traffic.

All south or Manila-bound passenger buses are ordered to use Maysan Road and on to the North Luzon Expressway and use the same route going back. – With Pete Laude, Edu Punay