MMDA officials direct traffick to alternate routes in the Kamuning area of EDSA following the closure of the Timog Flyover. (Photo: MMDA PIO)
BASED on the monitoring of the initial impact of the closure of the entire southbound Timog Flyover, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) disclosed that they found the traffic situation in the affected area, particularly at the EDSA Kamuning service road vicinity, to be manageable and tolerable to most motorists.
This was the assessment of the monitoring activity conducted by the MMDA together with representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) along the southbound portion of EDSA near Kamuning.
In a statement, MMDA chairman Atty. Romano Artes explained that the total closure of the Timog Flyover was implemented last Saturday, June 25, to give way to its one-month repair and to improve its operational capacity for vehicular traffic.
“There are four identified alternate routes for motorists. Vehicles coming from EDSA southbound may turn right at Mother Ignacia Avenue, Panay Avenue, Scout Albano, or Scout Borromeo. Motorcycle riders and bikers are likewise urged to use these alternate routes for their safety,” Artes also replied to queries over alternate routes that could be used while the bridge is closed to motorists.
He further announced that the agency has deployed additional personnel to manage traffic in the affected areas.
“Around 100 additional enforcers have been deployed to better manage traffic along Edsa. We will be assisted by the PNP-HPG as well as the local government unit of Quezon City at the inner roads andcwe are also considering to make adjustments on the traffick lights located in its vicinity,” Artes cited.
Meanwhile, MMDA Traffic Operations Officer IV Jeffrey Torres, who recently took over the agency’s EDSA duties under is Task Force Special Operations, announced that they will be intensifying clearing operations to get rid of any type of road obstruction, including illegally-parked vehicles, to ensure that alternate routes are passable.
Additional directional signages were also installed to guide motorists along the alternate routes.
Based on the vehicle traffic count conducted by the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center in May, 109,124 cars per day traversed the aforementioned section of EDSA. The flyover was utilized by 57,354 vehicles, while the service road was used by 51,770 vehicles.
