Metro Manila braces for new traffic jams as Skyway 3 starts
(Updated 11:22 a.m.) To ease traffic, road projects will first worsen traffic – in a big way. That's the exasperating reality facing Metro Manila commuters as the Skyway 3 extension project begins on Monday.
The Skyway 3 will connect the North Luzon (NLex) and South Luzon Expressways (Slex)lwith an elevated expressway over Osmeña Highway, which links Slex with Manila's Quirino Avenue. But the project is expected to last at least two years.
The first phase of the construction work will occupy two southbound lanes of the highway from Vito Cruz to San Andres.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has already placed signs in areas where traffic will be affected by the infrastructure work, radio dzBB reported.
The MMDA has reminded motorists of available alternate routes:
- President Quirino Avenue
- Pedro Gil St.
- Macapagal Blvd.
- Roxas Blvd.
- Singalong St.
- Leon Guinto St.
- Taft Ave.
However, MMDA Traffic Engineering Center Director Noemi Recio said that roads will not yet be dug up on Monday.
“Huwag muna kayo maghukay. Bakudan niyo lang muna... para makita na muna natin ang epekto,” Recio explained. “Kasi 'pag pinabayaan nating magbakod at maghukay na (at) nagkaroon ng grid-locking, ang hirap mag-adjust kasi nagbakbak na.”
The project will have eight interchanges and ramps at Buendia, Plaza Dilao, E. Rodriguez, Sgt. Rivera, Pres. Quirino, Aurora Blvd., Quezon Avenue, and Balintawak.
It will stretch from Buendia in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City.
Have patience, says Palace
On Sunday, Malacañang appealed to Metro Manila residents for patience as traffic in the area is expected to be heavy.
Herminio Coloma Jr., Presidential Communications Operations Office head, said the inconvenience is short term and will lead to faster travel and more productivity in the long run.
"We call on our people to share in the burden of sacrifice and bear with short-term inconvenience so we can build better roads that will ensure faster travel and more productive living in our highly congested National Capital Region," Coloma said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"Nananawagan tayo sa mga mamamayan na makiisa sa mga isasagawang proyektong pang-imprastruktura tulad ng Skyway III na mag-uumpisa bukas," Coloma said.
The MMDA meanwhile assured motorists on Monday it is managing the timing of infrastructure projects in Metro Manila to prevent overlaps.
Tolentino said work on the NAIA Expressway started two weeks ago, while work on the Skyway is to start late Monday when roads near the project site are partially closed to traffic starting 10 p.m.
- Magallanes Interchange (repair, strengthening)
- NLEX-SLEX Link Connector Road
- South Superhighway (rehabilitation and improvement)
- EDSA-Taft Avenue flyover
- LRT 1 North Extension Project common station
- Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Center link road
- LRT 2 East Extension Project
- C2 (Governor Forbes Street) and R7 (España Blvd) Interchange
- Sen. Gil Puyat Ave/Makati Ave.-Paseo de Roxas underpass
- Integrated Transport System terminals in south and southwest
- EDSA-Roosevelt Congressional Avenue Interchange
- LRT 1 Cavite extension
In anticipation of this, the MMDA has proposed an adjustment of office schedules, GMA News reported Friday.