MMDA serves ‘notice of violation’ to MRT-7 contractor for road closures in QC

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has issued a ‘notice of violation’ to a private contractor of the Metro Rail Transit 7  for closing two lanes at the Elliptical Road in Quezon City.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the EEI Corporation has closed two lanes along the Elliptical Road corner North Avenue along the Elliptical Road in Quezon City without prior notice to the agency.

“We were surprised about the closure of two lanes without properly informing us of the exact date of the closure,” Garcia said in a statement on Tuesday. “The area became a chokepoint as lanes available for the motorists narrowed.”

The lanes were occupied by heavy equipment being used by the contractor for excavation activities.

The agency served the notice after it conducted an inspection in the area. The closure  of the two lanes, according to Garcia, has caused traffic congestion in the area.

Garcia ordered the contractor to immediately make the necessary adjustments on the lanes affected.

“We also need to put lane markings – solid yellow line to prevent motorists from swerving or changing lanes – and put up traffic signage on merging lanes and other adjustments,” he said.

“We understand that the project is under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the government which would later benefit motorists, but coordination is important to minimize inconvenience to motorists,” Garcia added.

The MRT-7 project involves the construction of a 23-kilometer railway system with 14 stations from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. /ee