Holy Week break on the road: What to avoid, what to prepare

With many Metro residents heading out to the provinces for the Holy Week break, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson yesterday said the agency will take advantage of the five-day vacation till Monday, Araw ng Kagitingan, to repair more than a dozen roads across the capital.

In Manila, the police have also issued a traffic rerouting plan for the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo on Good Friday.

And don’t forget to bring enough coins or small bills to speed up payment at the expressway toll gates, said Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Edmund Reyes Jr.

Singson advised motorists and the general public to expect traffic slowdown in the following thoroughfares that undergo repairs starting tomorrow:

• Bonifacio Drive, from Anda Circle to 2nd Street, Port Area, Manila.
• Aurora Boulevard (southbound) in Pasay City, from Edsa to Aurora Bridge
• South Superhighway (southbound) from Zobel Roxas Street to Quirino Avenue
• Osmeña Bridge 2 in Manila, from San Andres Street to Zobel Roxas Street
• Daang Maharlika in Muntinlupa City
• South Superhighway (northbound) from Magallanes to Zobel Roxas
• Chino Roces Avenue between Makati Diversion Channel and Edsa (center lane)
• A.H. Lacson Street, Sampaloc, Manila from Rotonda to Ma. Clara
• España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila, from Carola to Welcome Rotonda
• Nagtahan Flyover Service Road, from R. Magsaysay Boulevard to Ruiloba Street
• Magsaysay Boulevard in Sampaloc, from Sociego to Rotonda
• Aurora Boulevard (eastbound) from F. Castillo Street to JP Rizal (outer lane)
• Edsa, Quezon City (northbound) going to Cubao between Liberty and Main Avenue
• Boni Serrano Avenue, between 10th to 7th Avenue
• Edsa (northbound and southbound), Mandaluyong City

“It will be a working holiday for field personnel assigned in supervising contractors’ repair works starting 12 a.m. of (Good Friday) to 12 p.m. of (Monday which was) also declared national holiday in commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan,” Singson said.

Those who have concerns, complaints or suggestions relating to the repairs can call 165-02 or text “DPWH (space) (message)” to 2920, Singson said.

Manila rerouting

Also yesterday, the Manila Police District’s traffic unit said the southbound lane of Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo from Andalucia and Fugoso Street to Plaza Miranda will be closed to traffic starting at 5 a.m. on Good Friday.

Also to be closed for the Black Nazarene procession is España Avenue, P. Campa and Lerma Streets in the Sampaloc district.

All motorists coming from Quezon City who intend to pass through España are advised to turn right at P. Campa, make a left at Andalucia, right to Fugoso, and left at T. Mapua.

All vehicles coming from Legarda may turn right at Recto or left at Mendiola to get to their destination.

All public utility jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España going to South Pier Zone should turn left to Nicanor Reyes, make a right at Recto straight to Jose Abad Santos, turn left at Reina Regente Street, take Jones Bridge and make a right at Magallanes Drive to get to their destination.

All jeepneys plying the Monumento-Gasak-Recto route and which usually pass through Andalucia through Recto are advised to turn right to Fugoso and then make another right turn to Oroqueta.