The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has given assurance that there would be no road diggings and excavation on major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region beginning on Monday.
MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said the temporary suspension of all excavation activities beginning midnight of Nov. 14, 2022 up to midnight of Jan. 6, 2023 includes road reblocking works, pipe laying, road upgrading, and all other excavation activities.
The road works not covered by the moratorium are the following: Flagship projects of the government; bridge repair and construction; Flood interceptor catchment project (box culvert); Asphalt overlay projects without reblocking works; Sidewalk improvement; Drainage improvement projects along the sidewalk and not occupying any part of the roadway; Footbridge projects; Emergency leak repair or breakage of water line by Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services; Project using trenchless or horizontal directional drilling method; New water service or electrical service connections; Road activities without excavation (traffic clearance only); Traffic signalization projects; and Meralco relocation works affecting major projects of the government.
On Friday, the Department of Public Works and Highways conducted its last road reblocking works for the year.
It covers portions of Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Quezon City for repair namely: northbound from Boni Serrano Flyover service road to
Main Avenue, first lane from sidewalk; northbound after P. Tuazon Flyover to before EDSA/Aurora Boulevard Tunnel, second lane from center island (fast lane); northbound EDSA-Kamuning Bus Carousel Station after Aurora Boulevard near New York Street, third lane from sidewalk (intermittent section); and southbound from Balingasa Creek to Oliveros Footbridge.
The road works also affected Commonwealth Avenue, southbound from Don Jose Street to Odigal Street, second and third lane (inner lane); Cloverleaf EDSA northbound to segment of NLEX, outer lane; C-5 Service Road along service road in Barangay Bagong Ilog near Monocrete Construction along Lanuza corner D. Julia Vargas near Valle Verde; and portion of C-5 Road in Pasig (KM 15+171 to KM 15+665), truck lane.
The DPWH-National Capital Region said those thoroughfares will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday when the moratorium will start.
Artes said the MMDA came up with the moratorium to provide relief to commuters and motorists during the holiday season when traffic is expected to be heavier.
The MMDA expects a 20 percent increase in traffic volume this Christmas Season because of the influx of people and vehicles from Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Central Luzon.
Even without the moratorium, the MMDA urged contractors to cover the diggings with steel plates so the road could still be used by motorists.
The MMDA also enjoined malls and shopping centers to adjust their business hours from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., also effective Nov 14, 2022 until Jan. 6, 2023 to alleviate expected heavier traffic jams during the Christmas season.
Artes hinted at the possibility of lifting mall operating hours restrictions earlier than January 6, 2023, depending on the traffic situation after Christmas.
“We will observe the traffic situation in the metropolis on December 26. If the traffic is normal and manageable, we will immediately lift
the restrictions and announce it to the public,” he said.