The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday announced that the southbound portion of Roxas Boulevard will be closed for two months to vehicular traffic starting at 6 a.m. Saturday (Jan. 15) to give way to the repair of the damaged box culvert in front of Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay City.
MMDA chairman Banjamin Abalos Jr. said the rehabilitation must be done immediately by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard, fronting HK Sun Plaza in Pasay City going to the flyover of EDSA-Roxas Boulevard.
“According to DPWH, because of the structural integrity of their project, the structure might weaken,” Abalos said. “The agency has laid down alternate routes for affected motorists. Likewise, directional traffic signs will also be placed at strategic locations to better guide the public,” he added.
Engr. Neomie Recio, director of MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, assured that the agency will deploy enforcers for traffic management in the area.
“Once closed, we will deploy additional traffic enforcers for the entire duration of the rehabilitation. We will also implement a zipper lane or counterflow scheme for light vehicles, but on a case-to-case basis,” Recio said.
For his part, Mikunug Macud, District Engineer of DPWH South Manila District Engineering Office, said the closure and repair works would last for 60-calendar days.
Moreover, Abalos asked for understanding from the public as the temporary closure of Roxas Boulevard southbound is necessary for safety.
“We are appealing for the public’s understanding as to the inconvenience the temporary road closure would cause. But this is necessary to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians,” Abalos stressed.
Currently, 887 cargo trucks and 1,029 trailers per day are traversing the Roxas Boulevard southbound direction alone.
Motorists may opt to take the following routes:
For Light Vehicles: • From Bonifacio Drive/Roxas Boulevard: take Roxas Blvd.-Buendia Avenue service road, turn right at Buendia Avenue Extension then left at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard going to destination.
• From Bonifacio Drive/Roxas Boulevard: turn right at HK Sun Plaza access road then left at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard to destination.
• From Bonifacio Drive/Roxas Boulevard: left at Pres. Quirino Avenue to destination.
For Trucks/Trailers and other vehicles from Bonifacio Drive going to Roxas Boulevard southbound:
All heavy vehicles/trucks/trailers, turn left to P. Burgos Avenue, straight towards Finance Road and Ayala Boulevard, then right to San Marcelino Street, take P. Quirino Avenue to South Luzon Expressway to destination.