MMDA: Road repairs have only till noon today

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Saturday said portions of major roads closed for repairs since Maundy Thursday should be open to motorists today in time for the return trip of thousands who earlier left the capital for the Holy Week break

In an inspection conducted at a reblocking site on Edsa-Guadalupe near the agency’s headquarters in Makati City, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said portions affected by reblocking works of the Department of the Public Works and Highways (DPWH)—mainly on Edsa, Mindanao Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue and C-5 Road—should be passable by noon.

Sections of Edsa that were closed during long weekend were two northbound lanes from Buendia to Escuela Street, and from Guadalupe Bridge to Temple Drive; and portions of the southbound lanes from Connecticut to Guadalupe Bridge and from MRT Guadalupe Station to Estrella Street.

On the northbound lane of C-5 Road, the second outermost lane from Valle Verde/Resins Inc. to SM Warehouse underwent repairs. Also closed to traffic were a southbound lane on Mindanao Avenue from Road 8 to North Avenue, the second lane from the sidewalk on E. Rodriguez Avenue/C-5 between Poseidon Street and Green Meadows Avenue, and C-5 Road Pasig Boulevard to Bagong-Ilog Service Road.

The repairs caused heavy traffic particularly on Edsa, but Tolentino maintained that agency was not remiss in reminding the public about the inconvenience. “The reblocking was repeatedly announced for the 45 days so there should be no surprises,” he said.

He noted that DPWH projects on Edsa had been deferred over the last six months and that the MMDA finally gave it the go-signal during the Holy Week break.

MMDA traffic engineering center chief Emilio Llavor said the repairs appeared to have proceeded on schedule as the concrete used was already on its curing stage as of Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tolentino also appealed to those going back to Metro Manila to hit the road early, especially if they are coming from areas affected by Typhoon “Chedeng” (international name: “Maysak”), to avoid slippery roads and possible landslides.

The MMDA, along with the city governments of Marikina, Muntinlupa, Paranaque and Pasay, has sent rescue and public safety teams to Aurora and and Isabela provinces which are expected to be hit hardest by Chedeng.