Busted traffic light blamed for gridlock

NAIA-Roxas Boulevard traffic mess

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) appealed for patience from motorists after a heavy duty crane broke a traffic light at the intersection of NAIA Road and Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque City.

A post from the Facebook page of motoring website Visor showed vehicles coming from all directions caught in a gridlock at the intersection on the evening of July 4.

The traffic light was fixed and functioning by 6 p.m. on July 5, according to the MMDA.

“NAIA Road/Roxas Boulevard intersection. Lights are not working. No traffic enforcer. Checkmate,” said the caption of the Visor post.

In a separate Facebook post last July 6, the MMDA explained a heavy duty crane snagged the cables and almost toppled the post carrying them as it reached the intersection of NAIA Road and Quirino Avenue in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

The said pole also carried the closed-circuit television that probably aided in giving traffic signals in the affected area, the agency added. The incident interrupted the traffic signal system and caused the traffic jam in the area.

Both the MMDA and the Parañaque City government deployed traffic enforcers to direct vehicular movement, as well as divert trucks to other roads.