MMDA sets temporary road closures for MRT-7 girder installation
MANILA, Philippines — Some roads along North Edsa to West Avenue will be temporarily closed from February to May due to the installation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) turnback steel box girder.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced this in a press conference with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Quezon City government on Friday at the MMDA head office in Pasig City.
READ: MRT-7 partially operational by 2027 – DOTr
“There will be a partial road closure while the tower that will support the girder is being installed,” MMDA chair Don Artes said.
Starting Feb. 1 until May 19, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., roads along the North Edsa between the Landmark Trinoma and the Unified Grand Common Station will be temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting March 24 until April 29, temporary road closure will be implemented along West Avenue/Edsa.
READ: DOTr says Edsa busway must remain exclusive to buses
Aside from this, a 24/7 lane closure will be implemented on the following:
- Two lanes on the portion of Edsa North Avenue (Northbound), from February 1 to May 8
- Two lanes on the portion of Edsa North Avenue (Southbound), from February 15 to May 18
The MMDA said the installation of the MRT-7 turnback steel box girder will be conducted from February to May.
‘Alternative routes’
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes during the temporary road closures.
The MMDA advised northbound motorists heading to Balintawak from Cubao via Edsa to take the following alternate routes:
- From Cubao, turn right at Quezon Avenue, then turn at Agham Road, left at North Avenue, right at Mindanao Avenue, left turn at Congressional Avenue and exit to EDSA.
- From Quezon Avenue, go straight to Quezon Memorial Circle then exit at Visayas Avenue. From Visayas Avenue, head to Congressional Avenue then turn at EDSA.
- From Quezon Avenue, turn right at Mindanao Avenue extension, then straight to Mindanao Avenue. Turn at Congressional Avenue then exit to EDSA.
- From Quezon Avenue, turn right at Mindanao Avenue extension, then straight to Mindanao Avenue. Take the U-Turn slot and head to North Avenue.
- From Road 8 of Barangay Pagasa, go straight to Ilocos Sur Street, then turn at Corregidor Street and exit to EDSA.
Meanwhile, the following routes are available for southbound motorists heading to Cubao from Balintawak via Edsa:
- From Balintawak, turn at FPJ Avenue (Roosevelt Avenue), then go straight to Quezon Avenue, then take the U-Turn slot and head towards Timog Avenue, then turn to EDSA going to Cubao.
- From Balintawak, turn at West Avenue, then go straight to Timog Avenue and exit at EDSA.
- From Balintawak, turn at West Avenue, then take Examiner Street to Quezon Avenue, then turn to EDSA.
- From Balintawak, take FPJ Avenue (Roosevelt Avenue), turn to either Baler Street or Del Monte Avenue, then turn to West Avenue and head to Timog Avenue to EDSA.
As for motorists heading to West Avenue from Balintawak via Edsa, the MMDA said the following alternate routes may be used:
- From Balintawak, turn at FPJ Avenue (Roosevelt Avenue), then go straight to Quezon Avenue, then take the U-Turn slot and head towards West Avenue.
- From Balintawak, turn at Bulacan Street then left to West Avenue.
- From Balintawak, turn at FPJ Avenue (Roosevelt Avenue), then left at Baler Street or Del Monte Avenue, then go straight to West Avenue.
- From Balintawak, turn at Bansalangin Street in Project 7, then go straight to Baler Street, and then turn at West Avenue.
‘For safety’
Artes said the road closures are expected to cause traffic, but they are necessary to ensure the safety of road users.
He added that traffic enforcers from the MMDA and the Quezon City government, as well as traffic marshals from DOTr’s private contractor, will be deployed to minimize the effect on traffic while the temporary closures are being enforced.
Traffic signs will also be installed to guide road users.
For his part, DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan echoed Artes’ remark that the temporary lane closure only aims to secure the safety of motorists, noting that each steel grinder that will be installed weighs around 50 tons.
“We need to make sure that our commuters, our users of Edsa are safe while we build these girders,” Batan said in Filipino.
The MRT-7 is targeted to be operational in the first half of 2027. /das /jpv
