San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora assured the public that the council, as well as other concerned government agencies, are fully prepared for the traffic problem to be caused by the six-month closure of the EDSA Kamuning flyover as well as other bridges and roads that need to be rehabilitated.
Mayor Francis Zamora
"Ito ay mga bagay na pinagpaplanuhan talaga sapagkat hindi talaga maiiwasan ang need for repair and retrofitting because of the safety concerns dahil yung ibang tulay ay talagang luma na at kung hahayaan naman nating hindi aayusin eh delikado po para sa mga motorista (These are things that we have to prepare and plan for thoroughly because we cannot avoid the need for repair and retrofitting of these structures due to safety concerns. Retrofitting is essential as some of our bridges are really old and already pose serious danger to motorists)," Zamora said in a radio interview on Tuesday, May 7.
"Mahalaga lang talaga dyan eh napaplanonng mabuti: What are the alternate routes? Saan po ba pwede dumaan pag sinara yan? (It is important to plan these things properly: What are the alternate routes? Where can motorists pass through once that street or bridge is closed down?)," he added.
The mayor explained that the local governments in Metro Manila as well as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are readying contingency plans in response to the adverse effects of these closures such as the setting up of alternate routes and the deployment of additional traffic enforcers.
"Mahalaga yung continuous monitoring ng MMDA sa traffic situation and malaking help din yung assistance ng mga LGUs in terms of manpower and clearing of streets and avenues na pwedeng magamit as alternate routes (MMDA's continuous monitoring of the traffic situation is extremely important as well as the LGUs' assistance to them in terms of manpower and clearing of streets and avenues that could be used as alternate routes)," Zamora stressed.
On May 1, the southbound portion of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City was partially closed to motorists to pave the way for its rehabilitation for at least six months.
“Even though the flyover will be partially closed during the rehabilitation, it will still be passable to public utility buses on the EDSA bus carousel,” MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said in a press briefing after his meeting with representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
DPWH officials said the rehabilitation is necessary to avoid further damage and as preventive measures against natural disasters like earthquakes, adding that it is a significant step in the government's efforts to rehabilitate structures in preparation for "The Big One.”
Artes said the MMDA will also study whether emergency vehicles can be allowed to use the busway in the flyover on a case-to-case basis.
As part of the measures to assist motorists who will be affected, the MMDA has identified several alternate routes during the span of the partial closure:
- From EDSA/Quezon Avenue (SB) make a right turn to Panay Avenue
- From Panay Avenue make a left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
- From Sgt. Esguerra Avenue make a left turn to Timog Avenue
- From Timog Avenue make a right turn to EDSA Service Road
- From EDSA/Quezon Avenue (SB) make a right turn to Mo. Ignacia Avenue
- From Mo. Ignacia Avenue make a left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
- From EDSA/Quezon Avenue (SB) make a right turn to Panay Avenue or Mo. Ignacia Avenue
- From Panay Avenue or Mo. lgnacia Avenue make a Left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
- From Sgt. Esguerra Avenue continues straight to 11th Jamboree
- From Kamuning Road take the EDSA Service Road
- From 11th Jamboree Avenue make a left turn to Kamuning Road
- From EDSA/Quezon Avenue (SB) make a right turn to Eugenio Lopez Jr. Dr
- From Eugenio Lopez Jr. Dr or Scout Borromeo make a left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue
- From EDSA/Quezon Avenue (SB) make a right turn to Scout Borromeo St.
- From Sgt. Esguerra Avenue make a left turn to Timog Avenue
- From Eugenio Lopez Jr. Dr or Scout Borromeo St. make a left turn to Samar Avenue
- From Samar Avenue make a left turn to Timog Avenue
“Although the southbound lane of the Kamuning flyover will not be entirely closed, we are advising the motorists, especially private vehicles, to use the Mabuhay Lanes as alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic expected due to the re-decking works,” said Artes.
The EDSA-Kamuning flyover is expected to fully open to vehicular traffic on October 25.