MMDA to impose stop-and-go traffic scheme along Edsa during SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement a “stop-and-go” traffic scheme along Edsa and other major roads during the conduct of this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

This is to facilitate the “fast movement” of delegates and “give way” to the convoy of vehicles to and from venues where the sporting events will be held, the agency said.

“A temporary stop of traffic will be observed as delegates’ convoy passes through roads and intersections,” the MMDA said in a statement.

Convoys carrying delegates will use the yellow lane, flyover, and underpasses while traveling along Edsa.

The MMDA said the following areas on both directions of Edsa could experience traffic disruptions:

Northbound

• Roxas Boulevard
• Taft Avenue
• Ayala, Buendia
• Shaw Boulevard
• Megamall
• Santolan
• SM North
• Muñoz
• Balintawak

Southbound

• Balintawak
• Muñoz
• SM North
• Cubao
• Santolan
• Ortigas
• Shaw Boulevard
• Boni Serrano
• Buendia corner Macapagal
• Ayala Magallanes
• Roxas Boulevard

Meanwhile, chokepoint areas include:

-SLEX Northbound

Quezon City

-Mindanao Avenue – North Ave. to NLEX in Quezon City

Manila

-Roxas Blvd. corner Buendia

-Roxas Blvd. corner P. Ocampo

-Roxas Blvd. P. Burgos

-Taft Avenue corner P. Ocampo

-Adriatico RMSC Area

-Quirino corner Adriatico

San Juan City

-Shaw Boulevard corner Pioneer in Pasig City

-N. Domingo-FilOil

Taguig City

-Lawton Avenue corner Bayani Road

Other SEA Games clusters where traffic congestion is expected are Clark, Subic, Southern Luzon, and others, the MMDA added.

The SEA Games will be held in the country from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Thousands of athletes, sports officials, coaches, spectators are expected to gather at sports and non-sports venues within the metropolis during the 12-day event, the MMDA said.

This includes: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Cuneta Astrodome, SM Mall of Asia Arena, SM MOA Skating Rink, World Trade Center, Philippine International Convention Center Forum, SM Megamall, Filoil Flying V Centre, Filinvest City, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman Gym, Marine Corps, Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Starmall EDSA, Makati Coliseum, Manila Hotel tent, SM Megamall Ice Rink, World Trade Center, Philsports Arena, Amoranto Sports Complex, and Manila Polo Club.

To help manage the traffic flow and provide assistance to motorists during the SEA Games, the MMDA is set to deploy 2,000 personnel in key areas.

“Aside from deployment of traffic personnel to strategic areas, we shall provide motorcycle and mobile car escorts, ambulances, tow trucks as well as monitoring of road activities during the SEA Games,” MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said.

He added that traffic personnel has also started conducting clearing operations on obstructions along the said routes with the assistance with the police and concerned Metro Manila local government units. /jpv