‘It is well to note that the DPWH is doing these flyover repairs as pro-active, preventive measures against natural and man-made accidents and disasters that may visit these structures.’
METRO Manila motorists and commuters passing along EDSA in Quezon City have been suffering heavy traffic flow and detours in the areas between Quezon Avenue and Cubao since May 1.
The reason is the ongoing repairs and rehabilitation of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover, a structure that has been in use since the time of ex-President Fidel V. Ramos.
To the credit of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes, the agency started posting signage starting last April 22, along the road leading to the flyover, to inform motorists early about the traffic flow tweak.
He has said the MMDA would use the time from the posting until the actual start of the repair to inform the public, so they can take alternative roads and “not create a bottleneck and traffic congestion.”
The southbound portion of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City is partially closed to vehicular traffic for six months during the repair period.
The DPWH in April began the by-phase retrofitting of the flyover to strengthen the bridge and avoid further damage from earthquakes and other natural disasters. The MMDA targets to finish the work and open it to the public by October 25.
“Even though the flyover will be partially closed during the rehabilitation [work], it will still be passable to public utility buses on the EDSA bus carousel,” Artes has said. The agency will also study whether emergency vehicles can be allowed to use the busway in the flyover on a case-to-case basis.
“Although the southbound lane of the Kamuning flyover will not be entirely closed, we are advising the motorists, especially private vehicles, to use the Mabuhay Lanes as alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic expected due to the re-decking works,” he added.
Meanwhile, private vehicles are taking the following alternate routes: from EDSA/Quezon Avenue — southbound (SB) make a right turn to Panay Avenue then left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, left to Timog Avenue then right turn to EDSA Service Road then right to Mother Ignacia Avenue.
As government engineers and workers are busy in Kamuning, the DPWH in the National Capital Region has announced the closing for repairs of the Legarda flyover that connects Legarda street with Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila. This area is of vital importance because the place leads to Malacañang Palace.
The closing of the structure started on Saturday, July 6 and it will be opened on November 6 – a full four months of repair and rehabilitation. In an advisory of the DPWH-NCR office, the regional office said government engineers will replace 19 units of damaged expansion joints in the flyover.
Repairs are set to start on the westbound lane heading to Legarda. The eastbound lane leading to Magsaysay Boulevard will also be partially closed for maintenance work. The DPWH said the repair process should be completed by November 6.
“Motorists are advised of traffic congestion during the repair works, and to use possible alternative routes,” the DPWH advisory read. Affected lanes will be opened immediately after completion of the repairs, it added.
It is well to note that the DPWH is doing these flyover repairs as pro-active, preventive measures against natural and man-made accidents and disasters that may visit these structures. Credit should go to DPWH NCR Regional Director Lorie Malaluan for this vital initiative, and by extension, to Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
