Makati releases traffic plan for Caracol 2014

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati Public Safety Department (PSD) on Thursday released the traffic guidelines and rerouting plan for the city's Caracol 2014 Festival at Circuit Makati on Sunday.

PSD chief Hermenegildo San Miguel said roads to be closed to traffic starting 1 p.m. of Saturday will be the stretch of Hippodromo Street from Liwayway St. to A.P. Reyes St., including portions of streets adjacent to Hippodromo, namely, Liwayway, Sampaguita, Kakarong, Sampaguita, Zapote, Hiwaga, and Economia. The stretch of A.P. Reyes St. from J.P. Rizal to Pascua St. will also be closed.

San Miguel advised residents and visitors who will join the festival that only the gate of Circuit Makati near Taliba St. corner Hippodromo St. will be open to the public. Only event organizers, participants and special performers will be allowed to enter through the other gates, he said.

Festival contestants are expected to assemble at the side of Hippodromo and Olympia Sts. for a parade at 2 p.m. along Hippodromo St. going to A.P. Reyes St. towards the main gate of Circuit Makati.

Vehicles plying J.P. Rizal going towards Taft Avenue shall go straight past A.P. Reyes St. instead of turning right. Those bound toward EDSA/Guadalupe may take Kalayaan Avenue, which will be open to two-way traffic. Jeepneys plying the Mantrade-Libertad-PRC route, coming from Pasong Tamo Extension shall turn left at J.P. Rizal then left to Pasong Tirad towards their destination.

PSD advises motorists to expect heavy traffic and take alternate routes and avoid the staging areas to avoid delay.

Meanwhile, participants and revelers coming with their own vehicles are advised to park along Trabajo St. (right side of J.P. Rizal, next street after Constancia St.), as it is the nearest to the Circuit Makati gate open to the public. Commuters, on the other hand, will only need to walk a short distance to the  gate (near Taliba corner Hippodromo) if they alight at Taliba or Trabajo St.

For questions, the Makati Public Safety Department can be reached at 8193270/71 and 8437294.