The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday advised motorists to brace for heavy traffic in Quezon City next week due to the closure of Tandang Sora Flyover and intersection to give way for the ongoing construction of Metro Railway Transit line 7.
Beginning Feb. 23 (Saturday), the four-lane Tandang Sora flyover and intersection along Commonwealth Avenue will be shut down in preparation for the construction of Tandang Sora station, an elevated guide way and a pocket track for the MRT 7.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the closure will last for the next two years and will affect more than 100,000 motorists traveling along Commonwealth Avenue and more than 2,500 travelers using the Tandang Sora intersection daily.
Affected motorists will be diverted to a temporary U-turn slot 500 meters away from the Tandang Sora intersection.
Acknowledging the traffic chaos the closure would cause, Garcia said the MMDA proposed the idea of putting up an elevated U-turn slot in the area to help alleviate traffic at choke points along the busy avenue where the MRT 7 is being constructed.
“I have instructed Director Neomie Recio to visit the site and study where the elevated U-turn can be erected,” said Garcia, referring to MMDA’s Traffic Engineering Center head.
Garcia said the proposed elevated U-turn slot, made of steel, can be erected within three months.
“While waiting for the construction of the elevated U-turn slot, motorists have to use temporary U-turn slot in the area,” said Garcia.
To guide the motorists, the MMDA will deploy 154 personnel while the local government of Quezon City will also deploy at least 100 flagmen along Commonwealth Avenue.
The project involves the construction of elevated guide way, demolition of existing flyover, and provision for future north and southbound flyover.
The MRT-7 line will serve 14 stations from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to MRT-3 North Avenue in Quezon City.