MMDA to close part of North Avenue to ease heavy traffic

MANILA, Philippines — To alleviate heavy traffic along the Elliptical Road in Quezon City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will close a portion of North Avenue starting 6 a.m. on Tuesday (January 22).

In a press briefing on Monday, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the road closure is expected to ease heavy traffic in the area where vehicles coming from the North Avenue merge with those traversing the Elliptical Road.

“We want to address the chokepoint area on the Elliptical Road with this road closure,” Garcia said.

The MMDA advised motorists traversing North Avenue going to Quezon Memorial Circle to use an alternate route: from North Avenue, turn right on Agham Road, turn left at Quezon Avenue going to the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Based on the vehicle volume count of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, 8,728 vehicles traverse the Elliptical Road-Quezon Memorial Circle while 1,419 vehicles traverse North Avenue to Quezon Memorial Circle during the morning rush hour.

Garcia, meanwhile, reminded motorists of the yellow lane policy along the Elliptical Road, which will continue its dry run this week.

READ: Yellow lane policy enforced on QC road

Under the new policy, vehicles on lanes marked by solid yellow lines are prohibited from swerving, changing lanes or overtaking other vehicles.

“Starting Monday, we will start apprehending violators through the no contact apprehension policy,” Garcia said.

Under the said policy, the MMDA will monitor traffic violations through closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

“Please stay-in-your-lane while driving along Elliptical Road. A major cause of traffic congestion in the area is motorists swerving, criss-crossing or making a sudden change of lane that create a chain reaction,” he added. /ee