MMDA to motorists: Stay home for weekend

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday urged motorists to stay home as heavy traffic is expected over the weekend due to road repairs and an event of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC). 

In a statement, the MMDA said eight roads were closed last night to allow the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct repairs over the weekend. 

Parts of EDSA’s southbound lanes – the fourth lane from Arayat to Ignacio Diaz streets; second lane from Timog Avenue to Kamuning Road; and third lane in front of Francesca Tower to Scout Borromeo – were closed to traffic.

The MMDA also closed some northbound lanes: the second lane of EDSA from Vertis North to Trinoma; first lane of Batasan Road from Commonwealth Avenue to Kalinisan street and from A.H. Lacson Avenue, near Aragon street.

The first northbound lane of Congressional Avenue before its intersection with Jupiter street; along Fairview Avenue, from Mindanao Avenue Extension to Jordan Plains Subdivision; and Jordan Plains Subdivision to Mindanao Avenue Extension were also closed. 

The sections affected by repair projects will remain closed until Monday morning.

INC event in Rizal Park

Starting at 6 p.m. today, the MMDA said Katigbak Drive, South Drive and Independence Road “will be off limits to passing vehicles” to give way to preparations for the INC event. 

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said the INC is expecting more than 200,000 members to participate in the Lingap Laban sa Kahirapan event that will be held in Rizal Park.

At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Garcia said Road 10 (from Moriones to Delpan Bridge), Bonifacio Drive (from Delpan Bridge to Katigbak Drive), Roxas Boulevard (from Katigbak Drive to P. Ocampo); both lanes of P. Burgos (from Lagusnilad to Roxas Boulevard); and Finance Road (from Taft Avenue To P. Burgos) will be closed to traffic.

The westbound lane of T.M. Kalaw (from M.H. del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard) and the westbound lane of Quirino Avenue (from M.H. del Pilar to Roxas Boulevard) will also be closed to traffic.

The Manila Police District’s Traffic Enforcement Unit said motorists passing Road 10 on the way to Bonifacio Drive should turn left at Moriones street.

All motorists coming from Pasay passing through the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard should turn right at P. Ocampo street or take the Roxas Boulevard service road.  

All motorists coming from Quezon Bridge, McArthur Bridge and Jones Bridge bound for the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard are advised to take Taft Avenue.

Those coming from Ayala Bridge can either take a right or left turn on Taft Avenue to get to their destination.

All motorists passing the westbound lane of Quirino Avenue should take a left turn at Mabini street, while those driving heavy vehicles and cargo trucks will be allowed to take Osmeña Highway towards Quirino Avenue going to Nagtahan via A.H. Lacson, straight to Yuseco street on the way to Capulong and to R-10.

EDSA-Shaw leak repair

Manila Water Co. Inc. said yesterday it will undertake leak repairs near the EDSA-Shaw Boulevard junction from tonight until Aug. 20.

The outermost lane of EDSA in front of Starmall will be closed to traffic for the duration of the project and two lanes of the service road will remain open to traffic, said Maidy Lynne Quinto, corporate project management director.

The MMDA moved the affected bus stop to two temporary locations: one approaching Starmall near the footbridge and another after Shaw Boulevard.

Motorists turning right from EDSA to Shaw Boulevard will temporarily pass through Starmall premises to allow southbound buses and private vehicles to use the service road exclusively.   – Robertzon Ramirez, Rey Galupo, Rhodina Villanueva