MMDA closes Ayala Bridge

Ayala Bridge in Manila (Norman P. Aquino / Wikimapia)

MANILA — The  Ayala Bridge in Manila will be closed today for a month to pave the way for its repair.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start the rehabilitation of the bridge to restore its structural integrity from March 21 to April 20.

The repair will include the raising of the bridge to .75 meters to give more headrooms for barges plying the Pasig River.

This measure will also be done to prevent it from hitting the posts which will weaken the structure.

Upon the completion of the rehabilitation, some parts of the bridge will be opened to light vehicles only from April 21 to July 20.

Along with the announcement, the Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday called on the motorists for patience as they plot changes in the traffic plans.

“They should avoid the area as much as possible and take alternate routes instead,” MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said.

Tolentino also said that heavy traffic is expected on major thoroughfares in Manila such as Quezon Boulevard, United Nations (UN) Avenue, Taft Avenue, Legarda, Quirino, Recto, Magsaysay and Roxas Boulevard.