MMDA to try new traffic scheme on Commonwealth Avenue

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will conduct a dry run on Saturday of its new traffic scheme along Commonwealth Avenue and Elliptical Road in Quezon City to help ease heavy traffic due to the ongoing construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line-7 (MRT-7). (Photo by eric molina/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will conduct a dry run on Saturday of its new traffic scheme along Commonwealth Avenue and Elliptical Road in Quezon City to help ease heavy traffic due to the ongoing construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line-7 (MRT-7).

Under the new traffic scheme, Maharlika Street from Elliptical Road to Masaya Street; and Masaya Street from Maginhawa Street to Commonwealth Avenue will become a one-way traffic.

All public utility vehicles, including jeepneys and UV Express coming from Elliptical Road are advised to take Maharlika Street, turn left at Masaya Street to get to their destinations.

The MMDA decided to hold the dry run on a weekend as most people are taking their day-off and to avoid heavy traffic congestion in the area.

“On Monday, April 9, the traffic scheme will be fully implemented,” MMDA Acting General Manager Jojo Garcia said in a statement Friday.

The MMDA will install plastic barriers to separate vehicles going to different directions and fences to confine pedestrians to designated loading and unloading areas.

“Enforcement of traffic rules and regulations and discipline are the keys to address traffic problem here. We are asking for the cooperation of the public,” Garcia said.

The MMDA designed the new traffic scheme after motorists and commuters experienced heavier than usual traffic in the area caused by the ongoing MRT-7 construction.

The MRT Line 7 is envisioned to be a 22.8-km railway line that will consist of 14 stations traversing from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan province.