DPWH to conduct more road repairs starting April 5

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has announced additional road work projects in Metro Manila, adding to the list of over a dozen reblocking and repair activities scheduled to commence starting Friday.

In an advisory, the DPWH said partial road closures would be implemented along R. Magsaysay Boulevard from April 5 to Aug. 31 due to drainage construction activities.

"Rehabilitation works along the west bound lane will cover 214.00 linear meters from Pureza Street, and will cross to east bound 34.70 linear meters long, and 274.30 linear meters long east bound of R. Magsaysay Boulevard to PNR (Philippine National Railway) line," the DPWH said.

Meanwhile in Manila, a temporary partial road closure of one lane along Batanes Street to Panay Street will be implemented due to concreting works and other rehabilitation projects along G. Tuazon Street, between Bohol Street and Batanes Street.

The DPWH assured that the lanes would be "opened immediately after construction activities." Motorists were advised to take alternative routes and to expect traffic slowdown.

These sites are separate from the ones announced Thursday by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), which are scheduled from April 5, Friday, until April 11, Thursday, following the holiday declaration for Eid'l Fitr on Wednesday.

Previously announced areas to be repaired are:

• Tandang Sora Avenue, Quezon City (from Commonwealth Avenue going C-5)
• Bonny Serrano Avenue Quezon City (corners of 15th Avenue and 20th Avenue)
• EDSA northbound, Mandaluyong City (Apo Street to Pioneer Street, outermost lane; beside sidewalk)
• EDSA southbound, Mandaluyong City (after Gate 4 to EDSA Shrine)
• Roxas Boulevard northbound, Pasay City (between Lourdes Street and Vicente Sotto Street)
• Roxas Boulevard northbound, Manila (between Remedios Street and Pasaje del Carmen Street)
• Roxas Boulevard EDSA Flyover southbound, Pasay City (bridge approach, outer, and inner lane)
• IBP – San Mateo Road, Quezon City (fronting Robinson Easymart to Jollibee, first lane from center)
• Luzon Avenue southbound, Quezon City (Congressional Avenue extension to before Luzon Flyover, first lane from center)
• Mindanao Avenue northbound, Quezon City (Uno Fuel to Chinabank, truck lane)
• Payatas Road, Quezon City bound to Batasan Road (before Maynilad Pumping Station to G3 Center, outer lane)
• Payatas Road, Quezon City bound to Batasan Road (Batasan Road to Bayanihan Street / Samar Street to Leyte Street, outer lane)
• G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City (Wayan Street to Mauban Street, first lane from sidewalk)
• Payatas Road, Quezon City (Singko Street to Samar Street, inner lane)

EDSA northbound

For the repairs on EDSA northbound between Apo Street and Pioneer Avenue, the DPWH said the activity will be conducted from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.

Noting that the pavement on this section was already "deteriorating," the DPWH said that, "the repairs will provide a smoother riding surface, ensuring the safety of commuters, and motorists while enhancing road mobility."

In an interview on 24 Oras on Friday, DPWH-NCR Regional Director Engineer Loreta Malaluan said, "Visibly, parang wala namang diperensya pero pag tinignan talaga may diperensya na ang daan.  Humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa mga abala na inyong mararanasan. Sa panahon ngayon, ina-avail natin yung good weather condition para sana bago matapos at tag-ulan ay natatapos natin yung mga proyekto."

(Visibly, the road seems fine but upon closer inspection, it is really damaged. We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause. At this time, we are taking advantage of the good weather condition so that we can finish the projects before the rainy season starts.)

The 24 Oras report added that the repairs would be done simultaneously as the corresponding budget requests were approved at the same time.

Roxas Boulevard, Kamuning flyover

As for the Roxas Boulevard flyover, reblocking along the South and Northbound bridge approach, coupled with road repairs along the northbound portions of Roxas Boulevard, will result in closures to be implemented "one lane at a time" from Friday until April 30.

"While the repairs of both the projects continue during the night, closed lanes will be opened, and will remain passable during daytime to facilitate smooth traffic flow. The repairs will also be done one lane at a time to lessen traffic congestion," the DPWH said.

The DPWH will also start the retrofitting of the EDSA Kamuning Flyover Southbound on April 25. The project timeline is 11 months. Mabuhay Lanes will be utilized as alternate routes.

“Kasi three lanes 'yan, hahatiin po natin sa dalawa. Bale 'yung kalahati lang po ang mapapadaanan natin sa light vehicles at even sa buses, at 'yung iba po na heavy vehicles ay sa ilalim or idi-direct po natin sila sa mga alternate routes natin. Ito po yung mga Mabuhay Lanes,” said Malaluan.

(We will divide the flyover's three lanes into two. So only half will be passable for light vehicles and even buses. The heavy vehicles will pass through the service lane below or will be redirected to alternate routes. These are the Mabuhay Lanes.)

Plans are also being drafted for repairs on the Northbound and Southbound lanes of the Quezon Avenue Flyover and the Magallanes Flyover, the 24 Oras report said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News