MRT-7 construction work causes EDSA traffic jam

MANILA, Philippines — Motorists traversing EDSA’s northbound lanes encountered heavy traffic at the intersection of EDSA and North Avenue yesterday morning.

The road works there were not part of the scheduled “emergency” road reblocking and repairs along the EDSA Bus Carousel system, which runs from Quezon City to Makati, that started on Friday night and last until Aug. 9.

The entire intersection was blocked due to construction work for the Metro Rail Transit Line 7. A common station that would link the MRT-7 and the existing MRT Line 3 and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 would be built there.

Concrete barriers blocked the area, where a boom truck was also seen.

The tail end of the traffic buildup at EDSA and North Avenue reached a mall at the intersection of EDSA and Quezon Avenue at past 7 a.m., according to earlier reports.

Vehicles passing through EDSA and coming from Cubao, North Avenue, Elliptical Road and Quezon Avenue had to pass through a bottleneck leading to the EDSA Bus Carousel lane, which was the only lane available at the time, according to motorists. The lane is supposed to be exclusive to public utility buses and emergency vehicles.

Some motorists who came from these areas complained of getting stuck in traffic for around 30 minutes.

Not far from the blocked EDSA-North Avenue intersection was the road reblocking along the EDSA Bus Carousel lane.

Girders were being installed at the blocked area as part of MRT-7 construction works, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The contractor of the project advised the agency about the road works, acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

The MMDA said it was “lenient” with the MRT-7 contractor in the delivery of materials and equipment as it targets to finish the project by this year upon the request of the Department of Transportation, he said in an interview over radio dzBB.

Artes said he expected the MRT-7 construction works would end soon to avoid a longer period of traffic jams.