Mayhem in EDSA?
This was what some Filipinos thought after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it will close the southbound lane of the EDSA Kamuning flyover for a month.
The closure will cover three lanes of the flyover and will commence on June 25 at 6 a.m.
It is meant to address the large cracks and potholes that were found on its road last week, which lead to a partial closure of the southbound lane.
MMDA said that the announced closure is intended to expedite the rehabilitation to be done by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
DPWH Officer-in-Charge District Engineer Eduardo Santos said the 30-day closure is needed since repairs will be done manually without heavy machinery.
He added that concrete mixes have a seven-day curing period to ensure the structure’s strength, stability and resistance.
MMDA chair Romando Artes said the DPWH had checked the cracks and that the agency has requested the closure.
“Nang buksan po nila ang mga may crack na portion nitong tulay ay nakita nila na kailangan pong kumpunihin ‘yung 30-meter stretch nitong buong tulay,” he was quoted on Tuesday.
“Mano-mano po ang pagbaak ng semento dahil hindi po puwedeng gamitan ng heavy equipment dahil baka maapektuhan po ‘yung dalawang lanes pa na nasa tabi,” Artes added.
DPWH National Capital Regional Director Nomer Canlas apologized for the inconvenience the repair works will bring.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience but the public’s safety is our priority here,” he said.
The pending closure worried some Filipinos who have been battling traffic in the metro amid the loosened COVID-19 restrictions on mobility.
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“Mayhem in Edsa,” a Twitter user commented in response to the reports.
“And on Pride march too? Gonna be hell of a nightmare to travel,” another online user predicted, citing the upcoming Metro Manila Pride March and Festival that will happen on Pasay on Saturday.
“Wow! Good luck, traffic pa more! FYI (for your information), ang Kamuning flyover ay isang making part ng decongestion rekta from Q.Ave to Cubao. Ngayon, lahat ng sasakyan sa ilalim dadaan,” a different Filipino noted.
The MMDA advised motorists to take alternate routes following the pending closure. These are the following:
Alternate Route for vehicles coming from EDSA southbound:
- Turn right at Scout Borromeo St.
- Straight towards Scout Ybardolaza and J.D. Jimenez St.
- Turn left at E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue
- Turn left at New York Avenue or take Aurora Boulevard to EDSA going to a destination
Mabuhay Lanes:
ROUTE A (for vehicles coming from EDSA):
- Turn right at West Avenue
- Right at Quezon Avenue
- U-turn near Magbanua
- Right at Timog
- Right at T. Morato
- Right at E. Rodriguez
- Left at Gilmore
- Straight to Granada
- Right to Santolan Road or right at N. Domingo
- Left at Pinaglabanan
- Right at P. Guevarra
- Left at L. Mencias
- Right at Shaw Boulevard
- Left at Acacia Lane
- Right at F. Ortigas
- Left at P. Cruz
- Left at F. Blumentritt
- Left at Coronado
- Take Mandaluyong-Makati Bridge to destination
ROUTE B (for vehicles coming from EDSA):
-
- Turn right at Scout Borromeo
- Left at Scout Ybardolaza / Scout Torillo / Scout T. Morato / Scout Tuazon or Scout Tobias
- Right at E. Rodriguez or follow the Mabuhay Lane Route A to destination