The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released alternative vehicle routes as it announced road closures in some parts of Manila City to ensure that devotees would not flock the Quiapo Church for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
In a statement, the MMDA said the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) will close roads near Quiapo Church on Jan. 8 from 8 p.m. onwards, while roads along Sta. Cruz Parish will be closed on the same day from 10 p.m. onwards.
In Sta. Cruz, the stretch of McArthur Bridge; Ronquillo St. from Rizal Ave. to Plaza Sta. Cruz; Bustos St. from Plaza Sta Cruz to Rizal Ave.; Rizal Ave. from Carriedo (Plaza Lacson) to CM Recto Ave.; and Ongpin St. from T. Mapua to Plaza Sta. Cruz will be closed.
In Quiapo, the north and the southbound lanes of Quezon Blvd. , from A. Mendoza/Fugoso to Carlos Palanca St.; stretch of Quezon Bridge; C.M. Recto from Rizal Ave. to N. Reyes; Evangelista St. from P Paterno St. to Recto Ave.; westbound lane of Espana Blvd from P. Campa to A. Mendoza.; and C. Palanca St. from Plaza Lacson to Ayala Bridge will be closed.
Here are the list of alternative routes:
Vehicles coming from P. Burgos Ave. and Taft Ave. intending to use McArthur Bridge should go straight to Jones Bridge and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles using southbound lane of Rizal Ave. going to Ronquillo St. should turn right to Fugoso St., left to Severino Reyes St. right to C.M. Recto Ave., and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles coming from Ongpin St. should turn right to T Mapua St. to Dasmarinas St. and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles going to Quezon Blvd coming from A. Mendoza shall turn right to Fugoso St., left to Severino Reyes St. to Recto Ave., and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles coming from Quezon City using the westbound lane of Espana Blvd should turn left to Nicanor Reyes St. (Morayta), turn left to CM Recto Ave., and proceed to their point of destination or make a right turn towards P. Campo St., then left to A. Mendoza St., to Fugoso St. and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles coming from P Burgos Ave. and Taft Ave. intending to use Quezon Bridge shall go straight to Jones Bridge and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles coming from the eastbound lane of C.M. Recto from Binondo Area should turn left to Rizal Ave., right to Remegio St. to A Mendoza St. or go straight to Tayuman St. and proceed to their point of destination
Vehicles coming from Ayala Bridge intending to pass through Palanca St. should go straight to P. Casal St. and proceed to their point of destination
“Wala pong magaganap na Traslacion o prusisyon ng Itim na Nazareno sa Maynila, batay sa abiso at pakikipag-ugnayan ng ahensya at Philippine National Police-Manila Police District (No Traslacion or procession of the Black Nazarene will take place in Manila, based on what the agency and the Philippine National Police-Manila Police District discussed),” the statement said.
The mass for the Black Nazarene devotees will be held online.