Part of Manila’s Tomas Claudio Bridge set for 6-month closure from Aug 3

This photo shows the MMDA traffic management plan that was presented during a press conference in Makati City on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, as the public is notified of the six-month closure of a portion of the Tomas Claudio Bridge in Pandacan, Manila, starting August 3, 2019. INQUIRER.net/Daphne Galvez

MANILA, Philippines — A section of the Tomas Claudio Bridge in Pandacan, Manila will be closed to vehicular traffic for six months starting this Saturday, August 3, to make way for the construction of Skyway Stage 3 Elevated Expressway project, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Wednesday.

Officials also said that a portion of the bridge – from Valenzuela Street to Beata Street – will stay passable but only for light vehicles.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the bridge’s closure will begin at 10 p.m. He also said the construction of Skyway is expected to help ease traffic flow on Edsa and C-5 Road.

“Talagang minamadali natin ito to decongest Edsa and C-5,” he noted.

Around 12,000 vehicles are likely to be affected by the bridge’s closure, according to Garcia. He also said that he ordered traffic enforcers to conduct clearing operations on identified alternate routes in order to lessen traffic build-up.

“I’m giving instruction sa clearing operation namin na starting tomorrow (Thursday, August 1) morning ayoko makakita ng kahit anong nakaparada dyan at obstruction,” he said.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said he expects the private contractors to complete the project on time.

“Sumunod na tayo sa regulasyon ng MMDA na tanggalin na ‘yung mga naka-park ilegally sa lugar na ‘yan particularly ‘yung mg sasakyan na ginawa nang bahay ‘yung mga street,” Abante said in the same press conference.

“Ibalik natin sa tao ang dapat na kanilang dinadaanan,” he added.

The Skyway project is anticipated to be finished by the first quarter of 2020, according to Transport Road Sector consultant Alberto Suansing.

“Sisiguraduhin namin na we will reduce to the barest minimum ‘yung inconvenience na maaaring maidulot ng project na ito,” Suansing said.

At this point, authorities advised trucks and trailers going in and out of Beata Street to just take Jesus Street then Quirino Avenue Extension towards their destination.

The MMDA also advised motorists to take the following alternative routes:

Vehicles towards Sta. Mesa, Manila area

1. Vehicles coming from SLEX, Roxas Boulevard and President Quirino Avenue must take East Zamora, straight to Labores Street right at Jesus Street, Laura Street then left at Jacinto Zamora Bridge to destination or follow usual traffic flow via Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard right at Old Sta. Mesa to destination.

Vehicles towards SLEX, Roxas Boulevard, and President Quirino Avenue

1. Vehicles coming from Old Sta. Mesa, Jacinto-Zamora Bridge, counterflow (new open median island) then left at Beata to destination.
2. From Sta. Mesa take Lubiran, right at New Panaderos, straight to Pedro Gil Avenue to President Quirino Avenue to destination
3. Vehicles coming from Tejeron/J.P. Rizal straight to Dr. M. Carreon, straight to Menandro Street, right at Laura street to destination.

/kga