MMDA: Ayala Bridge's closure may trigger massive traffic jam in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Saying that it could trigger a massive traffic jam in Manila’s university belt area, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday appealed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that the planned total closure of the Ayala Bridge next week be instead reset during the school break.

While MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino admitted that there is a need to have the bridge repaired, he said his agency would still need to further discuss the planned bridge closure with the DPWH and the local government of Manila.

Tolentino said the repair of the bridge is at present ongoing. However, the DPWH he said, plans to close for three months the northbound and southbound lanes of the bridge to traffic to allow work that would raise the bridge deck by some .7 meters. The DPWH will also repair the bridge’s posts which according to Tolentino, are subject to damage by passing barges on the Pasig River.

“Ongoing yung pagkumpuni sa ayala bridge kasi may kalumaan na 'to. Iaangat nila ito ng  .7 meters. Wala pang isang metro. Dahil may mga defects na to sa ilalim. Unang-una, yung poste nyan ay laging nababangga ng barges. Kakalog-kalog nay an. Si yung structural integrity po nyan ay medyo mahina na,” he said over dzMM.

“Yun plano po nila (closure) ay March 2 or March 4. Sana po hindi pa matuloy.  Dahil ang plano ay total closure ng northbound at southbound for three months. Ito ay uupuan ulit namin kasama ang mga kinatawan ng lungsod ng Maynila para maiplantsa ang pagsasaayos nito,” Tolentino added.

Tolentino said there is a need to discuss the planned bridge closure further as it would isolate Manila’s university belt area and leave no other immediate alternate route other than through the Quezon Bridge.

According to the MMDA, major roads to be affected by a total closure of the Ayala Bridge to traffic will be Quezon Boulevard, United Nations Avenue, Taft and Quirino, Legarda, Magsaysay, Recto up to Roxas Boulevard.

“Tatlong buwan ito isasara pero pag natapos ito ay baka good for 20 years na yan. Pag nagkaroon ng rerouting, malamang ang gamitin ay ang Quezon Bridge para marating ang Morayta,” he said.

Tolentino suggested that the closure of the Ayala Bridge be instead made during the school break.

“Mas mainam kung sa bakasyon. Kasi marami naman schools ang mag start ng August. Tutal magbabakasyon na naman po. Kasi tong tulay na ito ay ginagamit ng mga estudyante natin na papunta ng Adamson University, sa Sta. Isabel at iba pang eskwelahan. Malamang, sa bakasyon na to dapat simulan. Maguusap ulit kami,” he said.