The scheduled closure of the Tandang Sora flyover and intersection will be moved on the first day of March, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“The Department of Transportation (DOTr) accedes to the request of Congress and the local city council of Quezon City to postpone the closure of the Tandang Sora interchange and flyover by one week,” the DOTr said in its statement on Thursday, February 21.
The closure was supposed to happen this Saturday, February 23, at 11 p.m. to give way for the construction of the Metro Rail Transit-Line 7 (MRT-7). But with the DOTr’s announcement, it will be rescheduled to March 1 at the same time.
Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier explained that they are asking for a one-week postponement of the closure since many people are not yet informed of it. The seven-day delay, she said, will allow them to better notify the public about the closure.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia, Jr. meanwhile said the postponement will give them time to clear roads so that motorists will have more alternative routes to choose from.
“While we want the construction of the MRT-7 to proceed as fast as possible, the DOTr also understands that major adjustments have to be made by residents, commuters and motorists who will be affected by the said closure,” the DOTr said.
“We take this postponement as a period to strengthen public awareness and cooperation for the project, as this would give individuals and agencies ample time to prepare and manage the traffic situation in the area,” it added.
The Transportation Department also said San Miguel Corporation, its private partner for the MRT-7 project, also supported the one-week delay of the road closure.
“We appeal for understanding and cooperation from the public as we make all means possible to deliver these projects efficiently,” the DOTr said.
The 22-kilometer rail line will have 14 stations, traversing North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan. Once the MRT-7 is built, it will only take 30 minutes for commuters to travel end-to-end.