MMDA defers closure of EDSA U-turn slots

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will postpone the closure of U-turn slots on EDSA in Caloocan City for two weeks, MMDA traffic chief Edison Nebrija said yesterday.

The slots near Biglang Awa and General Tinio streets were supposed to be closed tomorrow but the MMDA would give it “another two weeks,” he said in a television interview.

“We are not closing it on Jan. 4. We will be continuing with the public information so that the public would be informed and maybe given two weeks’ time, that is the time we will be closing it,” Nebrija said.

The MMDA has closed some U-turn slots along EDSA to make way for the bus lanes. Their closure during the runup to the holidays resulted in traffic gridlocks.

Meanwhile, Nebrija said the opening of the Skyway Stage 3, which connects Buendia in Makati with Balintawak, Quezon City, would further decongest EDSA.

“Now, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with the traffic of EDSA with this Skyway,” he said.