Manila sets traffic rerouting, road closures for Black Nazarene procession
MANILA, Philippines–In anticipation of thousands of devotees who will assemble in Manila to participate in the grand procession marking the Feast of Black Nazarene on January 9, the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit (MDTEU) has advised motorists to take alternate routes to avoid being stuck in “very heavy” traffic on roads which will be part of the procession’s route.
The organizers of the annual traslacion have also implemented a slight change on the route after a fire hit an abandoned building on Escolta Street on Wednesday.
From Taft Avenue-Jones Bridge, the procession will no longer pass through Escolta and will take the parallel Dasmariñas Street instead.
The change was prompted by concerns that the dilapidated building which used to house the City College of Manila would endanger the thousands of devotees expected to join the parade.
In a traffic advisory, the MDTEU said Katigbak Drive and one lane of South Drive will be closed to traffic starting January 8 at 9 p.m.
On the day of the procession, January 9, the following roads will be closed starting at 3 a.m.:
-McArthur Bridge
-Jones Bridge
-Quezon Bridge
-Roxas Boulevard (from Katigbak Drive to TM Kalaw Avenue)
-both lanes of Quezon Boulevard from Andalucia/Fugoso to España/P. Campa southbound
-Taft Avenue northbound
Motorists from the northern part of Manila who intend to pass through Bonifacio Drive southbound will have to drive to Anda Circle, right to A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, drive through Lagusnilad, straight to Taft Avenue to their point of destination.
Meanwhile, motorists from the southern part of Manila planning to traverse the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right to TM Kalaw Avenue, left to Orosa to Intramuros gate, left to A. Soriano to their point of destination.
MDTEU also reminded commuters who take the bus from the southern part of Manila that buses are only allowed up to Remedios Street starting 5 a.m. on January 9.
RELATED STORIES
Avoid MacArthur Bridge, Black Nazarene devotees advised
Culture, faith, and the Black Nazarene
Black Nazarene parade will no longer pass through Escolta
Fire hits building formerly occupied by City College of Manila
Originally posted as of 03:08 PM | Sunday, January 4, 2014
