MANILA, Philippines – The whole intersection of Aurora Boulevard and Araneta Avenue in Sta. Mesa, Manila, will be closed to all forms of traffic for a week, starting before midnight Thursday, August 15, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
The MMDA in a press conference on Tuesday said the closure of the intersection — from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day — is for the construction of the Skyway connector which links the North Luzon Expressway to the South Luzon Expressway.
According to MMDA officials, the whole intersection which is near a shopping mall, will be closed to traffic. Light vehicles coming from Cubao going to Manila may use Guirayan Street near the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial (UERM) Hospital to enter to Araneta Avenue, while those coming from Mendiola may use the Old Sta. Mesa road.
Here are other alternate routes prescribed by MMDA:
From Shaw Bouelavard/ V. Mapa: Move straight towards Magsaysay Boulevard, then Santol Street, Right at Palanza, Landargun, or Bayani Road; then take left at G. Araneta Avenue.
From Cubao towards Manila: From Aurora Boulevard, take right at Guirayan Street, then left at Palanza, another left at Tomas Arguelles or Santol Street towards Magsaysay Boulevard.
From N. Domingo and Blumentritt: Take F. Roman, H. Lozada Street and then J. Ruiz Street.
From North: From C-3 Sgt. Rivera Road, take right at Bayani, Landargun, and Palanza Street; left at Santol, left at Magsaysay Boulevard, then take V. Mapa towards Old Sta. Mesa Road.
Trucks and other heavy vehicles coming from Cubao and going to Manila will be diverted to E. Rodriguez Avenue, all the way to Welcome Rotonda in Quezon Avenue, and towards España Boulevard. They will then take a left turn to Lacson Avenue, then straight towards Nagtahan Bridge.
The MMDA said that around 17,000 to 18,000 vehicles, including private vehicles, jeepneys and UV Express shuttles will be affected by the intersection closure. /muf