Makati OKs traffic plan for areas affected by Skyway project

MANILA, Philippines – To ease road congestion in areas affected by the construction of the Skyway Stage 3, Makati City has approved a traffic management plan that includes preparing alternate routes and access roads for motorists. 

City transport consultant Ernesto Camarillo said Citra Expressway Central Corporation (CECC), the proponent of the 14.8-kilometer elevated expressway project, already established safety measures for motorists.

“Citra Expressway Central Corporation has complied with the city’s directives to install directional and other traffic signs for motorists, and to post adequate number of traffic enforcers,” Camarillo said.

“We have also required that alternate and access roads be prepared and sidewalks for pedestrians be constructed, especially when the heavy construction phases commence,” he added.

The Skyway Stage 3 project will run from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City, connecting the South Luzon Expressway and the North Luzon Expressway. 

Once completed, travel time from the north to the south of Metro Manila is expected to be cut from two hours to 20 minutes. (READ: Alternative routes as Skyway construction starts) 

The portion of the Skyway project in Makati will cover Osmeña Avenue from Pablo Ocampo Street to the Magallanes Interchange.

Preparatory works are already being conducted in the area from the existing portion of Skyway up to the off-ramp of Buendia Flyover for Phase I of the project, which is expected to be completed in 12 months.

Camarillo noted that every day, 115,000 vehicles pass along Osmeña Avenue, one of the main entry and exit points in Makati.

“As such, we made sure that extensive precautionary measures would be in place prior to the start of construction works,” he said.

Two lanes on both directions of Osmeña Avenue will be open to traffic, as well as the Skyway entry and exit ramps at Arnaiz Avenue and the Don Bosco exit ramp.

Routes to take

The Makati city government has also issued advisories on alternate routes for motorists passing along the affected areas.

Northbound light private vehicles going to Ayala Avenue via Dela Rosa Street may use Medina Street. Those coming from the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) may take the C-5/Kalayaan Avenue route.

Northbound motorists traveling from the Skyway to the Makati central business district can exit at the Don Bosco off-ramp, take Don Bosco Street, then take Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) to their destination.

An alternative route is to continue driving northwards along Osmeña, turn right to Dela Rosa Street and cross Chino Roces toward the Ayala area. 

Motorists may also go straight along Osmeña, cross Buendia and turn right to Malugay toward Ayala Avenue.

If the Buendia Skyway exit ramp is closed, light private vehicles must take the exit ramps at Don Bosco or Arnaiz. 

Southbound motorists traveling from Osmeña to the Ayala business district may turn left at Zobel Roxas Street, right to Kamagong Street, and right to Ayala Avenue Extension. They may also proceed straight along Osmeña, and turn left to Malugay or Buendia to destination. 

Trucks and buses traversing Osmeña must use the Osmeña–Buendia Flyover.

Northbound buses and trucks passing the Skyway or SLEX are not allowed to go beyond Magallanes Exit. They must use the exit at Skyway Magallanes off-ramp, take the Osmeña ground level, and Buendia-Osmeña Flyover. Drivers must then proceed northward along Osmeña Highway toward destination. 

For buses bound for LRT Taft–Buendia station, they may take the U-Turn slot along Osmeña near the Makati-Manila boundary of the Zobel Roxas area. 

Buses from Taft–Buendia and southbound via SLEX and Skyway must take Buendia, turn right to Edison, turn left to Rockefeller or Arnaiz and exit to Osmeña toward the destination. Buses and trucks from Manila area traveling along Osmeña must use the Osmeña-Buendia Flyover.

The number coding scheme, truck ban, and other traffic laws in Makati City will remain in effect during the construction period of the project, which began in February 2014.

The Skyway Stage 3 project is expected to be completed in April 2017, but an accelerated plan may mean completion as early as mid-2016. – Rappler.com