SLEX segment to be closed for interchange repair

MANILA, Philippines - A portion of the southbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) will be closed to traffic for 10 days to give way to the ongoing repair of the Magallanes Interchange in Makati City, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced yesterday.

 The MMDA said the date for the closure of the SLEX portion has yet to be set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pending the issuance of permits by the city government of Makati, which has jurisdiction over the area.

Once the lane is totally closed, all southbound and northbound traffic will be diverted to the SLEX service road. MMDA traffic engineering center head Noemi Recio said a concrete wall blocking a big portion of the service road will have to be removed to make more space for vehicles.

Recio said the decision when to tear down the structure is with the Makati city government.

Meanwhile, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino yesterday approved the request of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson for work on the repair of the Magallanes Interchange to be done round-the-clock on Sundays.

At present, repair work at the interchange is done from midnight to 6 a.m. to minimize its impact on traffic, especially during the early morning rush hours. 

The MMDA also advised motorists yesterday to avoid some areas in Quezon City as the DPWH will perform road reblocking and repairs until July 14.

MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos said the reblocking will be done along Araneta Avenue from Del Monte Avenue to Maria Clara street (second lane, southbound) and along Congressional Avenue from Mindanao Avenue to April street (first lane, westbound).