By Phoebe Salvador
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has notified the public of heavier traffic in the second half of 2018 due to road construction and maintenance projects in different locations in Metro Manila.
According to MMDA, the simultaneous road projects include the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) drainage enhancement project along A. Bonifacio Road; construction of an elevated guideway for the Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) along North Avenue; and emergency leak repair on a large mainline along EDSA-Shaw Boulevard area.
“We acknowledge that these projects will cause heavy traffic all-year-round but we cannot compromise the safety of the motorists. If there is an urgent need to do these road projects simultaneously, then we will give the necessary clearances,” said MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia in a press briefing.
The MMDA then advised motorists to follow traffic rerouting plans or take alternate routes to reduce traffic congestion.
NLEX drainage enhancement project
To give way for the NLEX drainage enhancement project, the MMDA said the ramp of Balintawak Cloverleaf EDSA-southbound will be closed to vehicular traffic starting July 1.
Therefore, vehicles coming from NLEX are advised to take Smart Connect Interchange to Mindanao Avenue to destination, exiting to EDSA Monumento-bound and making a U-Turn to EDSA Southbound.
Meanwhile, vehicles coming from Monumento are advised to turn right to Biglang Awa Street, left at Jasmine Street, straight to 11th Avenue, and right at A. Bonifacio Avenue to destination.
Construction of elevated guideway for MRT-7
The MMDA said the elevated guideway for the MRT-7 will be constructed on North Avenue starting July 2 from Veterans Hospital Gate to Mindanao Avenue in the jurisdiction of Bagong Pag-asa and Project 6.
Construction led by private contractor EEI Corporation will be done in two phases: from Veterans to Vertis North Gate and from Vertis North Gate to Mindanao Avenue.
Emergency leak repair along EDSA-Shaw Boulevard
Water concessionaire Manila Water’s reconstruction works will begin July 7 while construction proper will be undertaken on a 24/7 schedule starting July 14 until the next 30 days, according to MMDA.
Vehicles turning right from EDSA to Shaw Boulevard will be diverted to Starmall premises to enable southbound buses and private vehicles to use the service road exclusively.
