The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has approved 19 road and drainage repair projects in Metro Manila while armed with a plan that won’t hold motorists hostage in traffic during the repair period.
MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino has set the rules to minimize traffic woes brought by the projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways in target areas such as Quezon City, San Juan, Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Caloocan and Taguig.
Tolentino said the projects are needed to improve the condition of roads, which in effect can improve the flow of traffic.
“This is a preventive measure, because we want to avoid any further damage and inconvenience to our motorists,” Tolentino said.
Among the projects are road widening in Don Mariano Marcos Avenue in Quezon City; road repairs on E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Katipunan Avenue and Sto. Domingo St. in Quezon City, West Service Road in Paranaque, C-5 Road and PPTA Road in Taguig, Repostol St. and Gen. San Miguel St. in Caloocan City, Alabang Viaduct section in Muntinlupa City, Ramon Magsaysay Service Road and C.M. Recto, M. de la Fuente St. in Manila, and 2nd West Crame Road in San Juan City.
Drainage rehabilitation is set on flood-prone areas such as Maceda St. and Dapitan in Sampaloc, Manila, and Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City. Soil testing projects for footbridges are also set in Sucat Road in Parañaque City and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.
Private contractors were directed to do road reblocking activities for the repair only from 10 p.m. on Fridays until 4 a.m. on Mondays. Tolentino said roads should be cleared and fully passable by 5 a.m. on Mondays.
He added that MMDA and DPWH have agreed to interrupt or ban all road diggings and excavations from Dec. 15 until Jan. 2 due to the increased vehicular volume and pedestrian traffic during the Christmas season.
According to the MMDA chief, personnel from the Traffic Engineering Center will strictly monitor and enforce the deadlines of the project.
The MMDA will soon release public advisories on alternate routes while reminding the riding public to strictly obey the traffic rules to avoid inconvenience or untoward incidents.