Motorists have started experiencing traffic gridlock along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue due to the ongoing road repairs along the stretch of EDSA Bus Carousel Lane from Balintawak in Quezon City to Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier urged motorists to use the Mabuhay Lanes to avoid heavy traffic. The Mabuhay Lanes are the alternate routes designated for private vehicles to avoid congested main roads in the National Capital Region.
Since Friday, the MMDA is conducting clearing operations on Mabuhay Lanes and other major roads in Quezon City where they towed illegally parked vehicles and dismantled structures blocking the streets.
Traffic enforcers also issued citation tickets to public utility vehicles loading and unloading in non-designated areas.
Heavy traffic was observed on the northbound lane from North Avenue going to the Quezon Avenue flyover in Quezon City on Saturday morning.
Affected motorists were also advised to take the following alternate routes:
Alternate Route via Skyway from North to South
On-Ramp – NLEX Balintawak• Quezon Avenue• Plaza Dilao• Nagtahan
Off-Ramp – Quezon Avenue• Nagtahan• Zobel Buendia • NAIA 1,2, and 3• Doña Soledad• Dr. Santos• Alabang Zapote• SLEX Elevated ext. – to point of destination.
Alternate Route via Skyway from South to North
On-Ramp – SLEX Elevated ext. • Alabang Zapote Road• Dr. Santos• Doña Soledad• Quirino• Nagtahan• Quezon Avenue
Off-Ramp – Magallanes• Don Bosco• Amorsolo• Buendia• Quirino• Nagtahan• Quezon Avenue• Sgt. Rivera• A. Bonifacio• Balintawak• NLEX – to point of destination
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said earlier his agency in close coordination with the Department of Transportation also came up with a plan for the possible influx of passengers affected by the five-day road works, which started late Friday night.
“Motorists and commuters who will be affected by the one-time, big-time emergency repair are expected to take the trains to avoid the expected traffic build-up at EDSA. The DOTr assured us that the MRT is ready for the anticipated influx,” he said.
The MMDA will also implement a traffic management plan and deploy 650 traffic enforcers to manage the traffic flow along EDSA and guide affected motorists and commuters.
“MRT-3 now has 24 trainsets available and operational after completing its general overhaul of 72 Light Rail Vehicles in November 2022,” said Artes.
MRT’s daily average now is 375,000 to 400,000 ridership. At 18 trainsets during peak hours, the railway system has increased its ridership to 10 million/month from 5 million per month in 2021 and 8 million monthly in 2022, which shows that commuters are now patronizing the MRT.
MRT-3 is also ready to deploy at least two additional trainsets during peak hours if and when necessary.
Both lanes of the EDSA Bus Carousel will be closed to traffic as the Department of Public Works and Highways conducts the emergency repairs, starting at 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. on Aug. 9.
The emergency road repair is due to the damages caused by previous typhoons and the ongoing effects of the monsoon rain in Metro Manila.
The MMDA advised motorists to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.