MMDA, NLEx bare rerouting plan at Balintawak as build of Skyway 3 starts

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and North Luzon Expressway Corp. (NLEx) on Friday announced the implementation of a major traffic rerouting plan to give way for the "full-blast" construction of the Skyway Stage 3 project in certain parts of NLEx-Balintawak this year.

At a press conference in Makati City, MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia bared the traffic rerouting scheme to be implemented starting Saturday, February  9, at 11:00 p.m.

“We are appealing for the patience and understanding of the public, but we are also assuring them that MMDA, NLEx, and Skyway teams will exert all efforts to minimize travel delays despite the ongoing construction," Garcia said.

San Miguel Corp.-led Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) is set to proceed with the "full-blast" construction of the Skyway Stage 3 project, which started in 2014.

The Skyway Stage 3 is the elevated road project of CCEC that will connect the SLEx (Southern Luzon Expressway) and NLEx from Buendia, Makati City to Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City crossing the EDSA Balintawak cloverleaf.

Target completion of the project is by December 2019.

According to CCEC, construction works will be conducted on a kilometer stretch of NLEx Balintawak.

The construction will affect traffic in Balintawak Cloverleaf, Camachile, and Bagong Barrio, including the east and west service roads.

To ensure smooth flow of traffic within the affected area, certain areas of NLEx Balintawak were widened.

The MMDA, NLEX, and CCEC will implement the following traffic rerouting schemes until the end of the year:

• Those from NLEX going to Quezon City may use Smart Connect Interchange heading to Mindanao Avenue. At the Mindanao intersection, turn right going to Quezon City to destination.
• Private cars, vans, PUJs from Quirino Highway bound for EDSA via Camachile are advised to head to Camachile Flyover, turn right towards West Service Roadthen turn right at EDSA.

• For PUJs, they should take a U-turn at Biglang Awa, turn right at Cloverleaf to A. Bonifacio (to Blumentritt) or take the southeast loop to return to Novaliches.
• Trucks from Quirino Highway going to A. Bonifacio will not be allowed at Camachile. They are advised to head towards Mindanao Avenue then turn left at NLEx Mindanao entry going to Smart Connect Interchange towards NLEx southbound. The same scheme goes for trucks from Congressional to A. Bonifacio/Port Area.

• Private cars and vans from EDSA Muñoz to Port Area, should head to Monumento crossing Balintawak Cloverleaf, turn left at De Jesus Street, head straight to C3 then at the C3 intersection, turn right to Port Area.

The MMDA, NLEx, CCEC said that aside from closing some lanes at NLEx Balintawak, the plan also includes closing the ramp from EDSA northbound to A. Bonifacio.

"Private vehicles from NLEx going Balintawak southbound will have the option to choose their preferred routes, PUJs and UV Express units will follow their specific routes, while buses will keep on their designated franchise routes. On the other hand, trucks coming from NLEX will not be rerouted," NLEx said.

The MMDA, NLEx, CCEC said it is in close coordination with local government units to guarantee that traffic patrol officers and marshals will be deployed to manage the flow of vehicles within the construction area and alternate routes.

Directional traffic signs will also be put up at strategic locations to better guide motorists.

Real-time traffic updates at the NLEX will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.

“We are hoping that with all these preparations in place, our motorists and commuters can plan their trips ahead and reach their destinations safe and on time,” Garcia said. —NB, GMA News