MOTORISTS using the Tandang Sora flyover and the intersection underneath along Commonwealth Avenue have gotten a reprieve on the planned closure of the busy area, with authorities moving the date from February 23 to March 2, 2019.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday announced the postponement of the closure upon the request of the local government of Quezon City.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the closure will take effect at 11 pm on March 2, to give way to the construction of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 7.
Garcia said the six-day postponement will give them more time to inform stakeholders of the impending closure that would affect more than 100,000 motorists traversing Commonwealth Avenue and 3,000 motorists using the Tandang Sora intersection.
“This morning, barangay leaders started informing the residents of the closure,” said Garcia in a news briefing at MMDA headquarters.
Quezon City Second District Representative Winston Castelo and Quezon City Vice Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte also joined the briefing.
Garcia said the MMDA was also given until Sunday, February 24, to remove obstructions, including illegally parked vehicles and illegal vendors, on Luzon Avenue, Visayas Avenue, Congressional Avenue and other identified alternate roads.
“I have instructed the Task Force Special Operations to clear all obstructions in the vicinity of Tandang Sora. Parking, terminals and vending will be prohibited to maximize the roads,” said Garcia.
Castelo thanked the MMDA for heeding the request of the Quezon City local government and the Committee on Metro Manila Development, House of Representatives, and the clamor of the public for a reprieve.
“We will not relax but conduct massive information campaign and clearing operations,” said Castelo.
Signages for U-turn slots and alternative roads where motorists will be diverted will be installed as part of the concerted effort to minimize the expected congestion the project would cause, Castelo added.
Motorists will be diverted to two temporary U-turns to be opened: one across Microtel at UP Techno Hub and another in front of CW Home Depot.
For her part, Belmonte said they have asked affected barangay leaders to coordinate with the private contractor EEI Corporation and MMDA in conducting “massive and exhaustive information drive.”
She added, “The barangays will be meeting with stakeholders. We shall deploy additional traffic enforcers.”
Belmonte also sought the assistance of barangay leaders to identify alternate routes which motorists could use.
Under the project, the flyover will be demolished for the construction of the Tandang Sora Station of the MRT in March.