Makati finalizes traffic management plan for Skyway construction

The Makati City government on Wednesday announced a traffic plan providing alternate routes for motorists and commuters, to ease the expected traffic congestion once construction on the Skyway Stage 3 goes full blast.

In an article posted Wednesday on its website, the Makati city government said the Makati portion of the Skyway project may take 12 months to complete.

“The traffic management plan has been finalized after a series of consultative deliberations with proponents and stakeholders that comprise the Inter-agency Technical Working Group,” Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said.

On the other hand, he said the number coding scheme, truck ban and other traffic laws will remain in full force during the construction period.

Binay also noted motorists expected to be affected by the project include those who pass through Osmeña Avenue going to the Central Business District and or to Manila.

Closed lanes

Citing data from project proponent Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC), the city government said one lane in each direction of Osmeña Avenue will be closed during the initial phase of the construction.

This includes clearing of the area, digging and installation of the columns at the middle portion of Osmeña Avenue.

"Work will alternately be done at night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., or on a 24/7 basis, depending on work demand and the level of risk to motorists so that public safety may not be compromised," the city government said.

At the onset of the work in April, two lanes will remain open in each direction of Osmeña, along with the Skyway entry and exit ramps at Arnaiz Avenue and the Skyway Don Bosco exit ramp.

The Buendia Skyway exit ramp is to be closed during the construction period, and northbound (towards Manila) light private vehicles (weighing 4,500 kg or below) must take the exit ramps at Don Bosco or Arnaiz.

But trucks and buses are prohibited from using the alternate routes, and instead will continue to use Osmeña and other roads.

Routes

The traffic plan provided the following routes for northbound light private vehicles:

Also, the city government said improvement will be done at Osmeña-Arnaiz to allow access of northbound light private vehicles into Medina Street that runs parallel with Osmeña.

"Private motorists may also take this route toward Ayala via Dela Rosa. When coming from SLEX, private motorists may also take the C-5/ Kalayaan Avenue route," it said.

Southbound light private vehicles

When going to Ayala Central Business District from Osmeña, turn left at Zobel Roxas, right to Kamagong, and right to Ayala Avenue Extension.

Motorists may also proceed straight along Osmeña, and turn left to Malugay or Buendia to destination.

To bypass the work site between P. Ocampo and Buendia, motorists may turn right to P. Ocampo, left at Filmore or Dian or Bautista, head south, cross Buendia, then turn left to Edison, left again at Arnaiz, and turn right to Osmeña toward the destination.

Trucks and buses traversing Osmeña must use the Osmeña – Buendia Flyover.

"Unless expressly indicated or allowed, vehicles exceeding 4,500 kilograms gross weight (as shown on the Certificate of Registration) are prohibited from using other roads within Makati, such as the secondary roads used as alternate routes. Light private vehicles may, however, use the roads assigned for buses and trucks," it said.

Northbound buses and trucks

Northbound buses and trucks using the Skyway cannot go beyond the Magallanes Exit. They must exit at the Skyway Magallanes off-ramp and take the Osmeña ground level and the Buendia-Osmeña Flyover, then proceed northward along Osmeña Highway toward destination.

Buses bound for LRT Taft–Buendia Station will be provided with a U-Turn Slot along Osmeña near the Makati-Manila boundary at Zobel Roxas area.

"This will serve as a turn-around point to allow buses to take Buendia toward Taft Avenue," the city government said.

Buses from Taft-Buendia

Buses from Taft–Buendia going south via SLEX and Skyway must take Buendia, turn right to Edison, turn left to Rockefeller or Arnaiz and exit to Osmeña toward the destination.

Southbound buses and trucks from Manila area traveling along Osmeña must use the Osmeña-Buendia Flyover.

Routes of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) plying Libertad – Arnaiz/ Washington/ Landmark remain the same with no suggested changes.

Traffic enforcers, signage

The city government said MAPSA traffic enforcers will be boosted by directional and informational signs installed by Citra at strategic locations.

Citra and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will also deploy traffic enforcers to ensure smooth flow of traffic and prevent accidents.

The city government and various stakeholders will form a Communications Group for information dissemination and traffic updates.

Meanwhile, the public may send inquiries to @MakatiInfo, @MakatiTraffic, @skywaystage3, anna@ccec.com.ph, emergency_168@yahoo and C3@makati.gov.ph, or call emergency 168 (Makati City’s hotline).

The public may also visit the Makati Portal at www.makati.gov.ph. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News