Expect heavy traffic as MRT-7 construction goes full blast: MMDA

MMDA Deputy Chairman Frisco San Juan Jr. presents the proposed underground guideway of the MRT-7 system during a press briefing held at its main office in Makati City Thursday. The tunnel will be constructed along North Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue starting May 1. (PNA photo)

MANILA — Parts of Quezon City will experience heavy traffic as various public works related to the construction of the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) will start next week, an official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Thursday.

During a press briefing, MMDA Deputy Chairman Frisco San Juan Jr. said that a tunnel will be constructed along North Avenue to Commonwealth for the MRT-7 starting May 1.

Two lanes along North Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic as the construction of the underground guideway will last eight months.

“We will deploy traffic enforcers to manage traffic in the area and will install signages of alternate routes that the motorists may take,” San Juan said.

He also said the whole stretch of Regalado Highway from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue will be closed to traffic starting May 6 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. due to the installation of box girders for the MRT-7’s rail tracks by its private contractor.

One-way traffic will be implemented along Regalado Highway starting April 30 as a coping beam will be constructed, causing the closure of its westbound lane. The eastbound lane will remain open to motorists.

The MRT-7’s private contractors will also construct its Tandang Sora station along the intersection of Tandang Sora Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue on May 1.

Three lanes on both the northbound and southbound stretch of Commonwealth Avenue will be closed to pave way for the installation of posts that will serve as foundation of the railway station. Only five lanes of the major thoroughfare will remain open to vehicles.

The project also involves the construction of elevated guideway, demolition of existing flyover, and provision for future north and southbound flyover which will last for a year.

“We are asking motorists to prepare for the construction of these infrastructures by May and look for alternate routes,” San Juan said.

Among the alternate routes being considered by the MMDA are Quezon Avenue, Congressional Avenue and Visayas Avenue.

“Ang mga infrastructures ay long overdue at kailangan na ito para mabawasan ang traffic. Kaya priority talaga itong gawin. Kapag nagawa ang MRT-7 ay mababawasan ang mga private vehicles na bumibiyahe along Commonwealth (The infrastructure is long overdue and we need this to ease traffic. That’s why the work is really a priority. When the MRT-7 becomes operational, private vehicles plying Commonwealth would be reduced),” San Juan said.

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.