The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday decided to move the date of the closure of Tandang Sora Flyover and intersection to March 2 following the request of the Quezon City government.
The MMDA initially set the date of the closure on Saturday (Feb. 23) to give way for the ongoing construction of Metro Railway Transit line 7.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the six-day postponement would give them ample period to inform stakeholders of the impending closure that would affect more than 100,000 motorists traversing Commonwealth Avenue and 3,000 motorists using the Tandang Sora intersection.
“This morning, barangay leaders have started informing the residents of the closure,” said Garcia in a news briefing held Thursday at MMDA headquarters in Makati City.
Quezon City Second District Rep. Winston Castelo and Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte also joined the briefing.
Garcia said the MMDA was also given until Sunday, Feb. 24, to remove obstructions, including illegally-parked vehicles and illegal vendors, on Luzon Avenue, Visayas Avenue, Congressional Avenue and other identified alternate roads.
“I have instructed the Task Force Special Operations to clear all obstructions in the vicinity of Tandang Sora. Parking, terminals and vending will be prohibited to maximize the roads,” said Garcia.
Castelo said he was thankful to the MMDA for heeding swiftly the request of the Quezon City local government and the Committee on Metro Manila Development, House of Representatives, and the clamor of the public.
“We will not relax but conduct massive information campaign and clearing operations,” said Castelo.
Signage of U-turn slots and alternative roads where motorists will be diverted will be installed as part of the concerted effort to minimize the expected traffic condition the project would cause, Castelo added.
Motorists will be diverted to two temporary U-turns to be opened: One across Microtel at UP Techno Hub and another in front of CW Home Depot.
For her part, Belmonte said they have asked affected barangay leaders to coordinate with the private contractor EEI Corp. and MMDA in conducting “massive and exhaustive information drive.”
“The barangays will be meeting with stakeholders. We shall deploy additional traffic enforcers,” said Belmonte.
She also sought the assistance of barangay leaders to identify alternate routes which motorists could use.
Under the project, the flyover will be demolished for the construction of the Tandang Sora Station of the constructed MRT in March.
The city government called for the temporary suspension of the closure of Tandang Sora flyover in light of complaints by some residents living in the area that they were not consulted about the closure.