Road closures, alternate routes in Manila for January 8, 9

The Metro Manila Development Authority and the Manila District Traffic Enforcement Unit released on Thursday traffic advisories for January 8 to 9 activities in observance of the feast of the Black Nazarene of the Quiapo Church.

Traffic management authorities based their road closure- and alternate-route plans on the Black Nazarene procession route released on Tuesday by the The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

The following route is closed to traffic during the procession:

-Traslacion (procession) starts at the Quirino Grandstand and will proceed to Katigbak Drive through P. Burgos. It will then turn left to Taft Avenue Ave. going Jones Bridge, through Escolta and Palanca passing under the Quezon Bridge.

-Procession will proceed turning left to Quezon Boulevard, right at Arlegui, Fraternal, and Vergara to Duque de Alba. It will then go through Castillejos and Farnecio before going back to Arlegui.

- From Arlegui, it will turn left to Nepomuceno, Aguila, Carcer, and right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen.

-The procession will also pass through Bilibid Viejo through Puyat, Guzman, Hidalgo, Bautista (Barbosa), and then turn right to Globo de Oro passing under the Quezon Bridge.

-The last stretch of the procession will pass through Palanca, Villalobos, and will end at Quiapo Church.

According to the advisory released on Thursday, road closures will take effect as the procession approaches and will be opened immediately after the passage of its tail-end.

Heavy can be expected in the following areas:

January 8 starting 9 p.m.

-Katigbak Drive and South Drive (one lane accessible to Manila and H2O Hotel)

January 9 starting 12 midnight

-The stretch of McArthur Bridge, Jones Bridge, and Quezon Bridge

-Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak to Kalaw

-Both lanes of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo) will be closed to traffic, from Andalucio/Fugosa and Espana/P. Campa for southbound and from Taft Avenue for northbound vehicles

Alternate routes for January 8 and 9:

January 8 starting 9 p.m.

- Vehicles coming from the north intending to go through Bonifacio Drive are advised to turn left from Katigbak going to Anda Circle, turn right to A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right to P. Burgos, go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Avenue.

-Vehicles coming from the south, turn left at A. Soriano to point of destination.

-Vehicles coming from the south intending to go through Roxas Boulevard are advised to turn right at TM Kalaw to point of destination.

-Vehicles intending to go through the northbound side of Taft Avenue are advised to turn right to Ayala Avenue to point of destination.

January 9 starting 12 m.n.

-Vehicles coming from Quezon City intending to go through España are advised to turn right to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, and right to CM Recto to point of destination.

-Vehicles coming from España intending to reach South Pier Zone should turn left to Nicanor Reyes, right to Recto or left to Mendiola to point of destination.

-Vehicles coming from Legarda are advised to turn right to Recto or left to Mendiola to point of destination.

-Vehicles coming from Caloocan intending to go through Rizal Avenue are advised to turn right to Fugoso or CM Recto to point of destination.

Heavy vehicles, trucks

On January 9, heavy vehicles and/or cargo trucks should take President Osmeña, Quirino, and Nagtahan via AH Lacson to Capulong Street.

Meanwhile, buses from the southern part of Manila going through Taft Avenue will only be allowed up to Remedios Street effective 5 a.m. on the day of the procession. — Aya Tantiangco/LBG, GMA News