Motorists should brace for heavy traffic along Marcos Highway as the Antipolo City local government announced that the Department of Public Works and Highways' (DPWH) flood control project at the Masinag Intersection will be extended until September instead of its original estimated deadline of July.
Mayor Jun Ynares said on Tuesday, August 27, that they had repeatedly reminded the DPWH of their commitment to ensure the project would be finished before the start of the school year.
However, the DPWH announced that the project will be extended until September due to the need to temporarily halt work after discovering that a Manila Water pipeline would be affected.
Ynares explained that the DPWH had to pause the project to allow Manila Water to construct a thrust block for the pipeline.
To help ease the traffic situation for motorists, Ynares said that a zipper lane has been set up in front of Cornel Medical Center (westbound side) of Marcos Highway heading towards Marikina.
He added that they have also instructed various offices, such as the Office of Public Safety and Security (OPSS), the Building Official, the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the barangays along Marcos Highway, to strictly enforce traffic laws and apprehend violators, including those causing road obstructions that contribute to traffic congestion.
Motorists are urged to take the following alternative routes:
- TOCS Friendship Road through Crestview, Marcos Highway going to B.V. Soliven/Lilac St. (Panorama), and vice versa
- Lopezville Subdivision through TOCS Friendship Road going to Marcos Highway and vice versa towards Sumulong Highway
- Agnesville, Sumulong Highway going to Marcos Highway (SM Cherry/Lumang Bayan)
- OLFU, Sumulong Highway going to Marcos Highway (Blue Mountain)
- Kingsville (Kingsville Gate 2, exiting through Kingsville Gate 1 on Sumulong Highway)
- Marcos Highway Gate 1 via COGEO Avenue from Gate 2
“Hinihiling po ang kooperasyon at disiplina ng lahat. Pagkatapos ng DPWH flood control project ay maiibsan na daw kahit papaano ang pagbaha sa bahagi ng lower Antipolo (We ask for everyone's cooperation and discipline. Once the DPWH flood control project is completed, it is expected to alleviate flooding in the lower Antipolo area),” Ynares said.