Heavy traffic in parts of Metro Manila due to weekend repairs — MMDA
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2019 11:28:49 +0000
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday warned of heavy traffic in parts of Metro Manila as key roads would be closed for repairs over the weekend.
The MMDA said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ordered closed the southbound lane of EDSA New York-Aurora Boulevard junction (1stlane from sidewalk).
On the northbound roads, the 1st and 2nd lanes from the sidewalk of EDSA in front of Baliwag Transit station to New York Street, the outer lane of EDSA 50 meters after Magallanes Metro Rail Transit Station to KM 29 in Makati City and the middle lane of C5 Road in front of SM Aura in Taguig City will also be closed for repairs.
The MMDA said all motorists should avoid the areas starting at 11 tonight and use alternate routes until all affected roads would be fully passable by 5 a.m. on Monday.
Meanwhile, the agency reiterated its call among passengers and bus drivers to support its dry-run for the provincial bus ban, citing a study that backs the agency’s claim that the policy will significantly reduce congestion on EDSA.
MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said an agency study showed that barring provincial buses and removing terminals in EDSA would decongest the busy thoroughfare even if they comprised only 5 percent of daily vehicular traffic.
“There will be people who will carry the brunt of the ban. And there are those who will benefit. [Let’s look at] those who will not carry the brunt. Let’s look at the lesser impact,” Garcia said in a previous press conference.
Garcia said that the study did not propose to remove buses “physically,” but only suggested the removal of bus terminals, which caused choke points.
“The buses will still be there. They will just not be allowed to enter EDSA,” he said.
Once the MMDA’s total bus ban is fully implemented, provincial buses will no longer be allowed to traverse the major roads in Metro Manila.
Instead, terminals will be installed outside the metropolis where commuters can take city buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
Operators are expected to use the terminals in Valenzuela City, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The study will complement the strict yellow lane policy of the agency, which segregates buses to EDSA’s right-most lane. With less buses, the passengers’ reservations about the policy will make their travel to their destination “faster.”
Garcia said that some 30 years ago, when terminals were established in the Cubao and Pasay City junctions of EDSA, there was no proper urban planning applied.
“The difficult part is people have become accustomed with the scheme. Now, we need to re-educated the public,” he said.
During the first day of the bus ban dry-run on Monday, the MMDA asked the city government of Pasay and Quezon City to revoke the operation and business permits of all 47 bus terminals in EDSA.
The closure of all terminals were targeted on May 15. NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS
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