The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday announced a portion of Roxas Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic to give way to the rehabilitation of an old drainage structure in front of Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay City.
At least 53,000 light vehicles and heavy trucks, mostly coming from two major ports in Manila, and traversing the southbound lane of the boulevar daily, will be affected by the closure.
MMDA chairperson Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the rehabilitation works to be made by the Department of Public Works and Highways at the damaged Libertad Drainage Main Box Culvert would require the immediate closure of the southbound lane.
“Heavy vehicles and trucks traversing the major thoroughfare have contributed to the damage of the drainage culvert over time. There is a danger that the drainage structure, constructed in the 1970s, would collapse, so rehabilitation must be done immediately,” said Abalos, who inspected the site on Wednesday.
The DPWH South Manila District Engineering Office is now undertaking initial repairs at the area but needs to close the entire southbound for two to three months to replace the damaged structure. Joel E. Zurbano
Abalos said they have yet to determine the date of the closure.
“The DPWH said they have to rehabilitate the drainage structure and close the entire southbound but give us three days to make a careful study of the impact of the possible road closure and make recommendations on how to divert the vehicles,” he added.
The closure would allow DPWH to construct an efficient drainage system leading to Libertad Pumping Station, preventing flooding in surrounding areas.
Once closed, motorists and truck drivers will have to take a detour and use alternative routes for the duration of the rehabilitation.
“This early, we are appealing for the public’s understanding for the inconvenience the possible road closure would cause,” said Abalos.