The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised commuters and motorists to brace for heavy traffic on major thoroughfares on Thursday, Nov. 14, as organizers of the Southeast Asian Games conduct a dry run of the opening ceremony.
MMDA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Pircelyn Pialago said the affected areas (northbound) during the simulation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. are: Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, Megamall, Santolan, SM North, Muñoz and Balintawak.
On the southbound side, the affected portions are Balintawak, Muñoz, SM North, Cubao, Santolan, Ortigas, Shaw Boulevard, Boni Serrano, Buendia corner Macapagal, Ayala Magallanes, and Roxas Boulevard.
The MMDA also identified chokepoint areas: northbound of South-Luzon Expressway; Mindanao Avenue-North Ave to NLEX in Quezon City; Roxas Blvd corner Buendia, Roxas Blvd corner P. Ocampo, Roxas Blvd P. Burgos, Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo, Adriatico RMSC Area, Quirino corner Adriatico, in Manila City; Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City; N. Domingo-FilOil in San Juan City; and Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road in Taguig.
Pialago said a convoy of vehicles will travel from various hotels within Metro Manila, Tagaytay, Clark, and Subic to Philippine Arena, the venue of the opening ceremony of SEA Games 2019.
She said a stop-and-go traffic scheme will be implemented on identified roads.
The simulation will enable government officials to synchronize, coordinate, and familiarize themselves with the routes to be taken by the convoys.
READ: SEA Games dry run slated for Thursday
The Philippines will be hosting the SEA Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
MMDA chairman Danilo Lim has ordered the deployment of 2,000 personnel in key areas in the metropolis to supervise and help manage the traffic flow and provide assistance during the event.
The 12-day event is expected to gather thousands of athletes, sports officials, coaches, spectators and guests at sports and non-sports venues within Metro Manila.
Venues include the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.
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