MMDA proposes alternate routes for Skyway 3 construction

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday released its proposed alternate routes for private vehicles to avoid two southbound lanes of the Osmeña Highway in Manila which will be affected by advance works on the Skyway 3 extension project.

In its advisory, the MMDA advised southbound motorists on President Quirino Avenue to turn left at Roxas Boulevard, take a right at Sen Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia), turn left at Macapagal Boulevard to their desitinaion.

Private vehicles along President Quirino Avenue may turn left at A. Mabini St., straight to F.B. Harrison, right at EDSA and then to their destination.

Vehicles along President Quirino Avenue, may take a left at Leon Guinto, straight to P. Zamora, to their destination.

Along Pedro Gil, private vehicles going to Makati may turn right at Tejeron, straight to J.P. Rizal, to Makati Avenue and the to their destination.

Along Pedro Gil, vehicles may take a right at Tejeron, take a right at Chino Roces Avenue, then to their destination.

Along Pedro Gil, vehicles may turn right at Onyx St., take a left at Zobel Roxas, turn right at Kalayaan Avenue, right at Chino Roces Avenue, to their destination.

The Skyway 3 will start construction Monday night and will connect the North Luzon Exprssway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) with an elevated expressway over Osmeña Highway. The project is expected to be finished in two years.

(See) INFOGRAPHIC: Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3

The first phase of the construction work will occupy two southbound lanes of the Osmeña Highway from Vito Cruz to San Andres.

The MMDA has already placed directional signs in areas where traffic will be affected by the construction work. The MMDA will also deploy personnel at the area to serve as traffic flagmen.

With a lenght of 14.8 kilometers, the fully-elevated Skyway 3 extension project will have six-lanes and will have eight interchanges and ramps at Gil Puyat, Plaza Dilao, E. Rodriguez, Sgt. Rivera, Pres. Quirino, Aurora Blvd., Quezon Avenue, and Balintawak.

Progress report

In order to assist motorists in coping with the expected monstrous traffic jams to be created by the Skyway 3 project construction, the MMDA has activated a website designed to keep motorists updated on the status of the project and 14 other major road projects across Metro Manila.

Dubbed the “Metro Manila Roadway Tablet” motorists and the public can access the online information at www.mmroadway.com.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the website will contain information on the various projects.

“The site will contain the status of the project, detail the alternate routes to be taken by motorists and will also have a chat board where motorists can post messages or complaints about the project,” said Tolentino.

Tolentino said the website will be updated twice a week by the MMDA and will also include the number of accidents that happen during the project’s construction period.

According to Tolentino initial work on the Skyway 3 exension projects will involve the erection of 10 posts from the foot of the Skyway in Gil Puyat Avenue (Buendia)in Makati to San Andres in Manila.

Tolentino said there would be no road closures in the Skyway construction site even as two southbound lanes of Osemena Highway will be closed to traffic.

“There will be no total closure but will motorists will have to learn how to drive bumper to bumper and shoulder to shoulder,” he said.

Tolentino said the MMDA expects that the traffic volume in EDSA will increase by 55 percent once the Skyway 3 project starts with the diversion of traffic.