EDSA repairs set for Holy Week break

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised motorists to take alternate routes once the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) begins its scheduled diggings and road repairs along parts of EDSA during the Holy Week. 

From 2 am on Thursday, March 24, until 2 pm on Sunday, March 27, the DPWH will conduct road reblocking along the following areas of EDSA:

• Northbound side, between Madison Street and Ortigas Avenue
• Southbound side, between Ortigas flyover and Boni Avenue

On Tuesday, March 22, MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said the agency will be closely monitoring the scheduled road repairs to avoid delays, especially with the expected high volume of motorists returning to Manila by Sunday afternoon.

“‘Yung ating road works na gagawin ng ating DPWH, sisiguraduhin natin na one lane lang per every segment. ‘Di sila pwedeng maghukay ng dalawang lanes dahil dalawang lanes agad ang mawawala sa mga motorista. At may instructions po tayo na kapag ‘di nila nabungkal ng 2 am ng Thursday, ‘di nila itutuloy ‘yun,” Carlos said.

(We will ensure that the DPWH’s road works will affect only one lane per segment. The contractors can’t dig along two lanes, because two lanes will be immediately lost for use of motorists. And we have instructions that if they have not started digging by 2 am on Thursday, they shouldn’t push through with the repairs.)

“We have already directed the project contractor B. Bernardo Construction to start the road works as scheduled and ensure the on-time deployment of sufficient manpower and equipment resources to avoid delay in the completion and facilitate opening of affected lanes by 2 pm of Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016,” said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Meanwhile, in Quezon City, the DPWH Quezon City Second District Engineering Office will implement the project for the installation of geolift high density polyurethane foam on the 1st lane concrete pavement along the northbound side of EDSA, in front of Camp Aguinaldo Gate 3.

The project will begin at 2 am on Thursday and will be completed on Friday, March 25.

Road reblocking works will also be undertaken on the 1st lane of Quirino Highway – Lagro, in front of Asia United Bank, during the Holy Week break.

Starting Wednesday, March 23, the MMDA’s traffic constables will be deployed to various transport terminals and exit points of Metro Manila, such as Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Magallanes, and Coastal Road. 

An advance post will be set up in Balintawak. Over 2,000 personnel will be deployed to man traffic around the metropolis.

The MMDA also announced that the number coding scheme will be suspended on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. – Rappler.com