MMDA allows road works during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — Road diggings will take place along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila this Holy Week when most motorists are vacationing in the provinces, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

Among the roads to be repaired in Quezon City are portions of Batasan-Commonwealth Tunnel, West Avenue, Luzon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Payatas Road and IBP Road.

Portions of Roxas Boulevard in Pasay, South Luzon Expressway in Parañaque and EDSA-Guadalupe northbound in Makati will also be closed for road works.

The road diggings, to be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways and a telecommunications company, will start at 11 p.m. tomorrow, according to acting MMDA Chairman Romando Artes.

The roads will reopen to motorists at 5 a.m. on April 1.

“The Holy Week break is the best time for contractors to complete road reblocking as fewer vehicles are in Metro Manila,” Artes said.

He said the MMDA approved permit applications for an estimated 100 road diggings around the metropolis.

No number coding, Pasig River ferry

The number coding will be suspended on March 28 (Maundy Thursday) and March 29 (Good Friday), which are both declared as regular holidays.

The Pasig River ferry service, which offers free rides to commuters, will also be suspended from March 28 to 31. Trips will resume on April 1.

Artes said 2,274 traffic personnel have been deployed to assist motorists and commuters this Holy Week.

The MMDA adopted a no-leave policy for traffic enforcers in anticipation of the surge of travelers going to the provinces.

Artes said the MMDA would implement operations against road obstructions near transport terminals and churches.

Provincial buses had been allowed to use EDSA until April 2.

Provincial buses should stop at terminals in Cubao, Quezon City, Pasay or at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

Portion of Elliptical Road closed

The Quezon City government has announced the partial closure of Elliptical Road from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday.

The road closure will give way to the construction of the elevated landscape promenade in the area.

Based on the alternate route map released by the city government, the portion of Elliptical Road that will be closed from 8 p.m. on March 28 to 8 a.m. on March 30 is located after North Avenue.

Motorists, particularly those coming from Visayas and Commonwealth Avenues, are advised to take alternate routes.

Motorists going to East Avenue may turn right at North Avenue, and then left at Miriam Defensor Avenue (formerly BIR and Agham Roads) toward East Avenue.

Those going to Kalayaan Avenue from Commonwealth Avenue may take a U-turn at Philcoa and turn right at Masaya street toward Mayaman street and Kalayaan Avenue. — Janvic Mateo