MMDA: Marcos Highway rerouting starts Wednesday

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will open alternative routes on Wednesday afternoon to alleviate road congestion along Marcos Highway in Pasig City.

GMA News' Lei Alviz reported for "24 Oras" on Tuesday, two hours are added tto the travel time of motorists due to the heavy traffic in front of the Robinsons Metro East shopping mall.

The traffic congestion stemmed from the lanes occupied for the construction of the Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT) extension.

This was worsened by public utility jeepneys that load and unload passengers beyond the designated areas.

In addition, commuters hailing rides take up the outermost lanes that vehicles are crammed into only one passable lane.

MMDA spokersperson Celine Pialago underscored that traffic congestion is temporary and that this was due to the ongoing construction of the LRT line's extension.

"Ang intention naman ng LRT, long term naman 'to. Ang mas problema natin ngayon (ay) 'yung pasahero na nagmumula sa mga shopping malls na 'to," said  Pialago.

In order to ease traffic congestion in the area, starting 1 p.m. on Wednesday, PUVs and TNVS are not allowed to stop along Marcos Highway, particularly in front of the Robinsons Metro East mall.

The loading and unloading zones would be along access roads like Imelda Avenue, which is located behind Robinsons Metro East and the Sta. Lucia mall.

For the other lane opposite the shopping malls, the Caltex station will be the only area that PUVs and TNVS will be allowed to load and unload passengers.

MMDA Asst. General Manager Jojo Garcia expects the rerouting scheme to cut travel time by 30 minutes.

"Pinapagaan lang natin dito, lalo na 'yung mga pauwi, yung mga kababayan nating pagod na sa trabaho, maiipit ng dalawang oras sa traffic," Garcia said. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News