DPWH holds weekend road repairs

MANILA, Philippines — Despite an earlier announcement by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that roadworks along EDSA and C-5 Road will be suspended for the holidays, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducted weekend repairs starting Friday night.

The DPWH said the MMDA gave the agency clearance to conduct road rehabilitation from Friday night to 5 a.m. on Monday.

Among the segments of EDSA’s southbound lanes that will be repaired are from Camp Crame Gate to Annapolis street, beside MRT; before Estrella, outer lane; and from National Shrine to West Avenue, first lane from sidewalk.

EDSA’s northbound lane segment from after Aurora Boulevard to New York street, third lane from sidewalk, will also be repaired.

Road sections that will also be repaired include the northbound direction of Katipunan Avenue/ C-5 Road after C. P. Garcia street, in front of UP Town Center, truck lane.

Other road segments under repair include the eastbound direction of General Luis street, from Rebisco Road to SB Diversion Road; Elliptical Road from after Maharlika street, sixth lane from outer sidewalk; the westbound direction of Quirino Highway, from Prime Rose to King Fisher street, inner lane; the southbound direction of Mindanao Avenue fronting Caltex gas station and after Tandang Sora Avenue, second lane from sidewalk; G. Araneta from Landragum street to Samar street; and the northbound direction of A. Bonifacio near Selecta Drive, second lane from sidewalk.

“Affected motorists and commuters are advised to take alternate possible routes due to expected build-up at the construction areas,” the DPWH said.

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia earlier said that the DPWH agreed to implement contingency measures to ease traffic during the holiday season.

He said road repairs and reblocking on EDSA and C-5 Road will be suspended, except for government flagship projects and during emergencies.

“Traffic is already bad and we expect it to get worse as the number of vehicles increases daily,” Garcia said.