MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has effected the closure of two southbound lanes of EDSA in Balintawak, Quezon City.
This is to give way to the construction of the Skyway Stage 3 Project – an elevated 14.82-kilometer expressway that stretches from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak.
The project contractor on Monday (February 24) started installing the girder in the area that will serve as the foundation for the portion of the skyway.
This caused a heavy traffic build-up to early morning southbound motorists and commuters from Balintawak to Monumento area in Caloocan City.
MMDA EDSA Traffic chief Edison Bong Nebrija said they expect this scenario to take place as about 40 percent of the area will be occupied by the project.
“Traffic talaga mabigat. Na-foresee na namin yan even before the start. Ang problema kasi talaga diyan sa EDSA Balintawak na yan. Wala ka naman talagang alternate route. Malayo,” Nebrija added.
The heavy equipment that will be used in the project is also seen to cause traffic congestion in the area.
The MMDA said operation of the heavy equipment may start from 11 o’clock in the evening to 4:00 o’clock in the morning.
The agency, however, warns the project contractor that they will be meted out penalties if any of the heavy equipment will be seen outside of the designated area during rush hour.
“Walang maiiwang equipment outside the area that we have given them. Halimbawa may crane na silang nakalagay sa two lanes ngayon. Baka magkaroon sila ng additional equipment in building that crane. Ang sa amin lang maalis nila yan during rush hours 2 lanes lang tayo,” Nebrija said.
The said lanes will be closed for 20 days while authorities are still ascertaining the date when road closure will be implemented for the EDSA northbound lanes.
The MMDA advises motorists to look for alternative routes or plan their trip ahead to avoid the heavy traffic.
Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes:
- Light vehicles going to NLEX and Monumento may take the Balintawak Interchange Ramp going to Cubao and take the U-turn slot after Cloverleaf Market going to NLEX.
- Light vehicles going to Novaliches and NLEX may take zipper lane at the left immediately before the construction site towards destination.
- Light vehicles from NLEX (going to Manila/Caloocan) may take the Balintawak Interchange Ramp going to Monumento via EDSA then left to A. De Jesus St. then left to C3 to destination. — (with details from Joan Nano) /mbmf
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