TO help decongest the metropolis during the Christmas season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Quezon City government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the establishment of alternate routes for Edsa referred to as “Kalayaan Lanes”.
MMDA Chairman Danilo D. said the designation of Kalayaan Lanes is one of the measures that would help in easing up traffic during the holiday rush.
The following roads in Quezon City, in whole or in part, have been identified as part of the Kalayaan Lanes for private vehicles: Amoranto Avenue, Balintawak Cloverleaf Banawe Street, Biak na Bato, Congressional Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, C-5 Road, D. Tuazon Street, Dapitan Street, De Jesus Street, Del Monte Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Gilmore Avenue, Granada Street, Katipunan Avenue, Luzon Avenue, Maria Clara Street, Matimyas Street, Mayon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Santolan Road, Santo Domingo Avenue, Scout Magbanua Street, Scout Tobias Street, Timog Avenue, Tomas Morato Avenue Visayas Avenue, and West Avenue.
“We are very thankful to the Quezon City local government unit [LGU] for extending their support to ease traffic. We are asking the public to use these alternate routes for their own convenience,” the MMDA chief said.
Under the MOA, the MMDA will identify Kalayaan Lanes within the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon City; provide sufficient traffic enforcers to execute traffic rules; coordinate with government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Philippine National Police for the effective implementation of the undertaking; and coordinate with LGUs for its implementation.
Quezon City barangays shall clear road obstructions and illegally parked vehicles in affected roads; support MMDA by providing traffic enforcers to assist in traffic management, such as Barangay Peace Keeping Security Officer (BPSO) and traffic aide; put up signs to guide motorists who will be using the Kalayaan Lanes; and enact barangay ordinances for effective implementation.
The Quezon City government, meanwhile, shall support the MMDA and different barangays in the implementation of the Kalayaan Lanes by providing additional signage, and enacting ordinances for the effective implementation of its undertaking; assist in traffic management by providing for traffic enforcers from the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS); coordinate with homeowners’ associations and different barangays for smooth implementation; and conduct an public information campaign about the designation of Kalayaan Lanes.
Vehicles from SM North Avenue should go straight to Quezon Memorial Circle, right at Commonwealth Avenue, right at University Avenue, right at CP Garcia Avenue, right at Katipunan, U-turn to UP Town Center. From UP Town Center, take C5 Road straight to Eastwood City, then straight to Robinsons Galleria or Greenhills Shopping Mall or right at Julia Vargas to SM Megamall. From Megamall, vehicles should turn right at ADB Avenue, straight to Shaw Boulevard going to Starmall and Greenfield City. From Shaw, take Pioneer Street going to SM Light Mall or Robinsons Pioneer. From C5 Road, straight to BGC (Market! Market!, Bonifacio High Street, SM Aura, Up Town, and Venice Piazza). From BGC, take 32nd Avenue, straight to Kalayaan flyover going to the Makati Central Business District and straight to SM Mall of Asia via Buendia Avenue and Macapagal Boulevard.
From SM Marikina, motorists should go straight to Aurora Boulevard, right to Molave, right at Narra Street, left at Tindalo Street, right to Anonas, left at V. Luna Avenue, left at East Avenue, right at NIA Road, left at BIR Road, left at North Avenue to SM North or Trinoma.
From SM Center Point, vehicles should take Aurora Boulevard to Araneta Avenue, left at N. Domingo, right at Blumentritt, straight to Kalentong, left at Neptali Gonzales Street, left at Coronado, take Coronado Bridge to Makati Central Business District to destination.
From Trinoma, vehicles should turn right at BIR Road, right at East Avenue, left at V. Luna Avenue, right at Maliksi Street, straight to Kalayaan Highway, right at Ermin Garcia Avenue, left at Imperial Street, straight to General Aguinaldo to Araneta Center.