MMDA asks DPWH to postpone bridge restoration project in QC

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines–The Department of Public Works and Highways was asked on Wednesday to postpone its bridge restoration project in Quezon City, which was seen to cause traffic jams on Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).

Francis Tolentino, Metro Manila Development Authority chairman, urged DPWH in a statement ‎to “temporarily defer” the repair works at Dario Bridge on Edsa at the corner of Balintawak and Congressional Avenue.

The repair and restoration of the 60-year-old bridge was scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 15.

Tolentino cited three reasons in asking for the deferment of the bridge repair works:

*DPWH has not trained sufficient traffic flagmen to assist in traffic management at the area;

*Lack of traffic directional signage; and

*Lack of sufficient public information campaign.

“We believe it would be better if DPWH will postpone the repair works at Dario Bridge because of lack of preparations,” he said.

If the construction will push through, at least three lanes in the northbound section of Edsa, from the corner of Fema Road to Dario Bridge would be closed.

“We don’t want to cause unnecessary inconvenience to the public if we cannot implement the necessary traffic alleviation measures,” Tolentino added.

But the DPWH Quezon City Engineering District said the foundations of the bridge have weakened.

DPWH advised northbound motorists to take Mindanao Avenue, Congressional Avenue or Mendez Street en route to Quirino Highway as alternative routes‎.

Apart from the postponement of Dario Bridge repair, Tolentino also called for the DPWH to put on hold the ‎scheduled rehabilitation ‎of Magallanes flyover in Makati City.

RELATED STORY

Heavy traffic seen as 2 bridges undergo repairs