DPWH repairs parts of EDSA during Holy Week break

The Department of Public Works and Highways took advantage of the Holy Week break to repair portions of EDSA.

In Joseph Morong’s report in “24 Oras”, commuters had a hard time traveling along EDSA on Maundy Thursday due to the temporary closure of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and the road repairs on parts of major thoroughfare. 

Many of those affected were bound to bus terminals or visiting churches who had no choice but to take the EDSA Bus Carousel. 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that vehicle volume in Metro Manila decreases by approximately 10% to 20% during Holy Week.

While most roads in Metro Manila are spacious, it’s a different situation at a portion of EDSA-Magallanes flyover as the southbound lane going to Pasay is closed for repairs, hence, the congestion. But the DPWH assured that the repair on the said portion will be finished by 4 a.m. on Monday, April 6. 

Some motorists did not expect to get caught in traffic jams due to the said road repair. 

“Ang problem tayo dahil may ginagawa. Pero okay na ‘yan, para pagkatapos ng Holy Week, okay na, maganda na takbo ng sasakyan,” said taxi driver Edgar Gonzaga. 

(The problem is that there is ongoing construction. But that’s okay, so that after Holy Week, it will be fine and the flow of vehicles will be smooth.) 

Meanwhile, the DPWH apologized for the inconvenience caused by the ongoing repair works. 

“Humihingi tayo ng paumanhin sa mga kababayan natin na nasa Metro Manila, kailangan lang talaga natin ayusin ‘yung EDSA-Magallanes flyover kasi ‘yung mga joints doon nakatakip ng bakal, medyo nakakaaberya talaga sa daloy ng trapiko. Konting tiis lang tatapusin natin hanggang Linggo,” said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. 

(We apologize to our fellow citizens here in Metro Manila; we really just need to fix the EDSA-Magallanes flyover because the joints there are covered in steel, which really causes disruptions to the traffic flow. Just a little more patience, we will finish this by Sunday.) 

The DPWH has also scheduled the 24-hour Phase 1 EDSA Rehabilitation, covering EDSA Taft to Orense in Makati, to coincide with Holy Week. The rehabilitation work is also due in the morning of April 6. 

The expansion of sidewalks along Buendia and parts of EDSA is also ongoing. It is targeted to be done by July, the DPWH said. 

“Minimum 2.8 meters tapos ano na, shared bike and pedestrian. May tactile tiles for disabled, may wheelchair ramps na,” said Dizon. 

(Minimum of 2.8 meters and it’s now a shared bike and pedestrian [lane]. There are tactile tiles for the disabled, and there are wheelchair ramps already.) 

“Nakita naman natin, with the quality na nakikita na natin ngayon, kahit papaano bumibilis ‘yung dalo ng trapiko, and sabi nga ni Pangulo, pagka-bumilis ‘yung daloy ng trapiko, less konsumo ng gasolina ‘yun, less gastos,” he added. 

(We’ve seen that with the quality we are seeing now, the flow of traffic is somehow getting faster; and as the President said, when the flow of traffic speeds up, that means less gasoline consumption and less expenses.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News