Makati reroutes traffic for New Year countdown
The Makati City government will be rerouting traffic as early as Saturday in preparation for its annual New Year countdown and street party on Monday.
In a traffic advisory posted on its Twitter account, MakatiTraffic, city officials advised motorists that as early as 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 29, both lanes of Ayala Avenue, from the corner of Paseo de Roxas to Parkway Drive, and both lanes of Makati Avenue from the corner of De la Rosa Street to Paseo de Roxas, will be closed to motorists.
The closure will allow workers to build a stage and bring in the necessary equipment and fireworks paraphernalia for the “One World One Makati” street party that will take place at the intersection of Ayala and Makati Avenues from 7 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.
A traffic rerouting scheme will be implemented from Saturday until the first day of the New Year.
Vehicles, especially buses, going to and from Edsa and Pasay City are advised to take Sen. Gil Puyat or Buendia Avenue.
Motorists coming from Edsa or McKinley Road may also turn right on Arnaiz Avenue and right on Paseo de Roxas to get to Ayala Avenue going to Buendia or to the Legaspi Village and Makati business district areas.
Private vehicles coming from Edsa going to Salcedo Village are allowed to enter Ayala Avenue until they can make a right at the corner of Apartment Ridge.
They are advised to make a left turn on Sta. Potenciana Street, then turn left on Paseo de Roxas to get to their destination.
Private vehicles coming from Glorietta going to Buendia may turn right from Parkway Drive to the opposite lane of Makati Avenue, turn right at Dela Rosa Street, right on Paseo de Roxas, and turn left on Ayala Avenue toward their destination.
Passenger jeepneys and light vehicles coming from J. P. Rizal and going toward Buendia are advised to turn right on Makati Avenue, right on Paseo de Roxas, and turn right again on Ayala Avenue to their destination.
Meanwhile, vehicles plying Makati Avenue from Gil Puyat Avenue going to Ayala Center or Edsa must turn right at Paseo de Roxas, left at Esperanza St. or Arnaiz Avenue toward the destination, and vice versa.
Vehicles going to and from Tower One and Exchange Plaza must take the Paseo de Roxas entrance and exit.
Those going to Makati Stock Exchange or the GASI Car Park must take Apartment Ridge, turn left at Sto. Tomas Street, and turn left on Makati Avenue.
In an earlier statement, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. promised that this year’s street countdown will be “more exciting” than those held in previous years.
“We have laid out a multilevel, nonstop entertainment program designed to build up the crowd’s anticipation when the clock strikes 12 midnight,” he said.
