MMDA orders DPWH to stop repair of Sucat bridge

MANILA, Philippines - Saying that it would only contribute to the already problematic traffic situation in the area caused by the ongoing construction of the Skyway Stage 3 project, the Metropolitan  Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) not to push through with the repair and rehabilitation of the Sucat Interchange Bridge in Parañaque City.

In addition, MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the DPWH decided to push through with the project even without coordination with the MMDA.

The DPWH had earlier advised residents of Parañaque City to brace for heavier traffic starting  August 2 when the it will close down the east-bound lane of the Sucat Interchange Bridge to make way for its repair and rehabilitation which will last for 45 days.

In a letter to Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, DPWH District Engineer Wilfredo Mallari added that the agency was also supposed to conduct a dry run of the lane closure (going from Dr. A. Santos Avenue towards the Muntinlupa side of the bridge) on Wednesday before the actual closure on August 2.

Work on the east-bound interchange bridge is expected to be completed by September 15, the DPWH said.

Olivarez said he has instructed the city’s Traffic Management Office to study and propose alternative routes for those who will be severely affected by the bridge repair. 

“We will also look into the possibility of imposing a truck ban and the possible implementation of a color coding scheme to reduce traffic volume in the affected routes to ease the burden on our commuters and motorists during the duration of the bridge repair,” Olivarez said.

Olivarez said areas in the city that will be severely affected by the bridge lane closure will be almost the entire stretch of Dr. A. Santos Avenue (Sucat Road) as well as the East and West Service Roads of the South Luzon Expressway in both the Parañaque and Muntinlupa sides.

“We can only hope that the DPWH and the traffic management personnel of the Skyway Operations and Maintenance Corporation, which has jurisdiction over the affected interchange, will be able to complete the bridge repair work on time so that our residents and commuters are not burdened further,” Olivarez said.