Motorists advised to avoid EDSA to give way to ASEAN delegates

Motorists are advised to use alternative routes, as the lanes for the delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along EDSA have been closed to public vehicles starting Saturday. (Photo by Michael/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA — Motorists are advised to use alternative routes, as the lanes for the delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along EDSA have been closed to public vehicles starting Saturday.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said vehicles should use the Scout Area in Quezon City and C-5 to decongest traffic.

“This morning, we’ve closed down all ASEAN Lanes to include the northbound, which will be used by local and foreign dignitaries in going to Clark to pick up arriving principals,” MMDA supervising officer for operations Bong Nebrija said in a text message to reporters Saturday afternoon.

“There is heavy traffic in EDSA as of this moment. Please help us decongest it by using the Scout Area in the West Corridor and C5 in the East Corridor.”

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said public utility buses may take the yellow lanes along EDSA, while private vehicles will be directed to pass through C-5 upon consultation with the MMDA.

“Enforcers will now be deployed on the road,” said LTFRB board member and spokesperson Aileen Lizada.

The MMDA has designated the two innermost lanes of EDSA as ASEAN lanes for heads of states and delegates, who will be travelling from Clark International Airport in Pampanga to the summit venues in Manila and Pasay.

Plastic barriers will be installed along the entire stretch of the highway from Balintawak to Magallanes to delineate the ASEAN lanes from November 11 to 15.

Vehicles are not allowed to traverse the ASEAN lanes, except when the meetings are already ongoing or there is heavy traffic in the area.

A “stop and go” traffic scheme will likewise be implemented along EDSA to give way to the convoys of delegates participating in the summit.