The Metro Manila Development Authority said commuters and motorists should expect heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and other areas in Novaliches, Quezon City once the Metro Railway Transit–Line 7 Phase 1 project construction starts within this month.
Beginning Monday (April 17), a traffic rerouting scheme will be enforced by the MMDA following the closure of one lane along Regalado Avenue. The closure of Regalado will be implemented for two months.
Under the traffic management plan, motorists coming from San Jose del Monte to Quezon Memorial Circle are advised to take Quirino Highway and Commonwealth Avenue, or Belfast Street and Mindanao Avenue to their destination.
On the other hand, those coming from Quezon Memorial Circle to San Jose del Monte may use Quirino Highway and Commonwealth Avenue, or Bristol Street and Ascension Street to their destination.
The government created an inter-agency task force to supervise the project. Aside from the MMDA, the team will also include the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the city government of Quezon City through its Public Order and Safety Office.
Prior to the construction works, proponents must submit first a traffic management plan to the Transportation department, the implementing agency which would give a green light to start the project.
MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos said a detailed traffic management scheme is needed so that private motorists, public utility vehicles and commuters can prepare and plan their scheduled or daily road trips.
The construction of MRT Line 7 Phase 1 will be undertaken by EEI Corp. which bagged the contract worth P62.7 billion.
Based on its profile posted at the official website of Private-Public Partnership Center, the project involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the 23-km elevated railway line.
The MRT-7 line will serve 14 stations from San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to MRT-3 North Avenue in Quezon City.
Once the project is completed, the road component will divert northern provincial buses operation to San Jose Del Monte, thereby decongesting Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.
