Traffic plan for Black Nazarene feast released

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday released the traffic rerouting plan for the annual procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila this coming Wednesday.

In an advisory, the MMDA said some parts of Manila would be closed to traffic as early as Jan. 8.

Starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Katigbak Drive and South Drive will be closed to traffic while the southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. (Quiapo) from Andalucia-Fugoso to Plaza Miranda and España-P. Campa-Lerma will also be closed to public utility vehicles starting at 4 a.m. of Wednesday.

The MMDA said that at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, the following streets would be closed to traffic: (North Area) P. Campa/España; Nicanor Reyes/España; Andalucia/Fugoso; Recto/Isetann (Service Road) and Raon/Evangelista while in South Area which includes Ma. Orosa/P. Burgos; Lagusnilad/P. Burgos; Taft/Finance/Westbound; A. Villegas/Taft Ave. (LRT); 25th street/Bonifacio Drive; N.A. Lopez/A. Villegas; Anda Circle/Bonifacio Drive; Gen. Luna/P. Burgos; Roxas Blvd. T.M. Kalaw; and Katigbak/Roxas Blvd.

The procession of the Black Nazarene starts at the Quirino Grandstand (Luneta), then turns right to Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos, left to Taft Ave. (P. Burgos) through McArthur Bridge, right to Palanca, through under Quezon Bridge, left to Quezon Blvd., right Fraternal, right to Vergara, left to Duque de Alba, left to Castillejos, left to Farnecio, right to Arlegui, left to Nepomuceno, left to Aguila, right to Carcer, right to Hidalgo through Plaza Del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo through Puyat, left to Guzman, right to Hidalgo, left to Barbosa, right to Globo de Oro through under Quezon Bridge, right to Palanca, and right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

The MMDA said heavy traffic is expected in the areas to be affected by the procession that include a portion of Roxas Blvd. and Bonifacio Drive from Anda Circle to T.M. Kalaw north and southbound lane; southbound lane of Quezon Blvd. from Recto to Palanca; Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd; Taft Ave./Finance (westbound lane); Lagusnilad/P. Burgos (westbound lane); P. Burgos/Taft Ave. (Freedom Triangle-northbound lane); Villegas/N.A Lopez; and 25th street/Bonifacio Drive (southbound lane).

Motorists are advised to take the alternate routes: (coming from Quezon City): take España, make a right turn to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, then a left to T. Mapua to point of destination.

Passenger jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España intending to proceed to South Pier Zone should turn left to Nicanor Reyes, right to Recto straight to JAS, left to Reina Regente take Jones Bridge, and right to Magallanes Drive to point of destination.

Vehicles from north Manila going through Bonifacio Drive southbound, are advised to make a right turn to Roberto S. Oca street, left to Delgado, left to 25th street, left to Bonifacio Drive (for Port Area offices) and then right to A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, then go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Ave.

All vehicles coming from southern Manila going through P. Burgos are advised to take T.M. Kalaw, take a left turn to Taft Ave., right to A. Villegas, right to Quezon Bridge to their point of destination.

The MMDA said the northbound lane of Quezon Blvd. would be open to traffic.

Vehicles coming from south Manila going through the northbound lane of Roxas Blvd. from P. Ocampo to P. Burgos shall make a right turn to T.M. Kalaw, left to Taft Ave. to point of destination.

Jeepneys plying the Monumento-Gasak-Recto route are advised to use Andalucia passing through Recto, then make a right turn to Oroqueta and then back to Monumento.

Vehicles coming from Legarda shall turn right to Recto or left to Mendiola to point of destination.

Meanwhile, vehicles using Taft Ave. northbound shall turn right to A. Villegas (Arroceros) right to Quezon Bridge to point of destination.

Heavy vehicles and cargo trucks coming from the south shall take President Osmeña, President Quirino to Nagtahan via A.H. Lacson to Capulong (vice versa).

Motorists going to the north or south of Manila are advised to take A.H. Lacson to Nagtahan (vice versa) or take Road-10 to Roxas Blvd. (vice versa) to point of destination.

Buses coming from east Manila (such as G-Liner and RRCG buses) are advised to take Legarda, turn right to Palanca, then to Quiapo-Ilalim, to their point of destination.

Buses coming from Taft Ave. going to Fairview shall turn right at UN Ave. up to Otis, left Nagtahan, go straight A.H. Lacson, right España to point of origin.

Buses coming from southern Manila, Laguna and Cavite utilizing Taft Ave. would not be allowed to enter from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and they would be allowed only up to Remedios street, right to San Marcelino and back to their point of origin.