The Metro Manila Development Authority on Thursday advised commuters and motorists to take steps to avoid traffic gridlock this weekend after it allowed road reblocking and other repairs to resume in Pasig, Makati and Quezon City.
Lawyer Emerson Carlos, MMDA officer-in-charge, said the Department of Public Works and Highways will commence the road works at 10 p.m. Friday (Oct. 30) up to 5 a.m. Monday (Nov. 2) on the following roads:
Makati City: Along the southbound lane of Epifanio de los Santos from Estrella Street to Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia).
Pasig City: Along the northbound innermost lane of Circumferential Road-5 (C-5) between SM Warehouse to FR Cement going to Lanuza Street.
Quezon City: Along the southbound lane of Edsa between Scout Borromeo and Timog Avenue (Service Road), 1st lane from sidewalk, and northbound lane of Edsa between Aurora Boulevard and K-10 Street, 1st lane from sidewalk.
The DPWH-National Capital Region has recommended the reblocking and repair of the said areas for maintenance purposes.
Carlos advised motorists and commuters to avoid the affected area and used alternate routes instead. He added all affected roads will be fully passable by Monday. He assured motorists that the agency is managing the timing of numerous infrastructure and road projects in Metro Manila.
He said that steps are being made to avoid the overlaps that could lead to gridlocks on major throughfares.
The MMDA reminded the public on the full closure of Ayala Bridge beginning Friday (Oct. 30) until Monday (Nov. 2) to give way for maintenance work.
Areas to be affected by the bridge closure include major thoroughfares such as Quezon Boulevard, United Nations Avenue, Taft Avenue, Legarda Street, Quirino Avenue, Recto Avenue, Magsaysay Boulevard, and Roxas Boulevard.
Motorists may take the following alternate routes:
Going southbound toward Otis or Pres. Quirino Avenue:
From Magsaysay Blvd., Legarda St. and Lacson Ave., use Nagtahan or Mabini Bridge, turn right at M. Guanzon St., go straight toward UN Avenue and onward to destination.
From P. Casal St., turn right on Carlos Palanca Road going to McArthur Bridge and onward to destination.
Going northbound:
From Romualdez St., turn left on Ayala Blvd. right on Taft Ave., and straight to Quezon or Jones Bridge onward to destination.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the bridge is expected to be fully opened to vehicles by Nov. 2 after the completion of post tensioning activities, a method of introducing internal forces or stress to the high strength steel or cables after the concrete placement.
The DPWH is upgrading the structural integrity of Ayala Bridge, which will also be elevated by 1.75 meters to give more space for barges passing the Pasig River.
The rehabilitation and repair of the bridge started in May last year.