Traffic rerouting starts June 20 for construction of QC underpass

Starting on June 20, traffic along G. Araneta Avenue and Quezon Avenue in Sto. Domingo, Quezon City will be rerouted for the construction of the C-3/Quezon Avenue Interchange. A 440-meter, four-lane underpass along Quezon Avenue crossing G. Araneta Avenue will be constructed in the area. Expect heavy build-up “Motorists are advised to expect traffic build-up along Araneta Avenue and Quezon Avenue as the government starts the construction of the 440-lineal-meter underpass project this June 2011 to speed up traffic flow and reduce pollution load by lessening gas emissions during traffic gridlock," Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a news release. The DPWH, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Quezon City local government have mapped out the traffic management and rerouting plan for the project. Costing P430 million, the interchange project involves the construction of a four-lane underpass along Quezon Avenue crossing Araneta Avenue, including the installation of a submersible pumps to manage flooding and construction of reinforced concrete box and pipe culverts. When completed, the project is expected to help decongest traffic along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) and nearby major thoroughfares. It will also include the widening of Mariblo Bridge along Quezon Avenue and improvement of service roads and approaches of the intersection. To ensure that the flow of traffic will not be severely affected during the 450-calendar day construction period, the DPWH Urban Roads Project Office, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Quezon City Government mapped out a traffic management re-routing scheme.

Traffic rerouting Motorists from EDSA Quezon City going to Manila/Quiapo can take 11 alternate routes including:

From EDSA turn right at West Avenue turn left at Del Monte Avenue and left to A. Bonifacio Avenue, turn right to Blumentritt, left at Dimasalang all the way to Manila.

Motorists coming from Manila through España to different point along EDSA Quezon City have also 11 identified route options, among which is from España turn right at E. Rodriguez Sr. straight to EDSA/Cubao Interchange then take left to EDSA/Quezon City.

There are six identified routes for motorists coming from Sta. Mesa and Aurora Boulevard through C-3 (G. Araneta Avenue) to A. Bonifacio Avenue, among which is to turn left at Bayani or E. Rodriguez Ave., then right at Banawe Street, right at Amoranto Street, left at G. Araneta Avenue then straight to A. Bonifacio/North Luzon Expressway. The alternative routes can be viewed at DPWH website www.dpwh.gov.ph. Chokepoint "According to our studies, ito po ay isang chokepoint na intersection, na kailangan pong maresolve ang heavy traffic dito. Kaya nagkaroon tayo ng underpass," DPWH Urban Road Projects director Marnie Alquiza told Arnold Clavio on Unang Balita on Tuesday. While the underpass is envisioned to improve the traffic flow in the area, its construction is expected to cause heavy traffic during the estimated 450-day period of construction. "Mayroon na po kaming mga measures para maiwasan ang heavy duty traffic," said Alquiza. He said they have also prepared three pumps to help abate floods when there is a heavy downpour. The first stage will already affect both directions along Quezon Avenue. "After G. Araneta avenue from Manila, going to Quezon City, may gagawin tayong diaphragm wall at pump. Sa kabila naman mayroon din tayong widening diyan. Aalisin po yung pedestrian overpass," said Alquiza. "Yung traffic planning po namin diyan, yung mga U-turn gagawan po ng paraan na ma-divert din," he added. "Of course magkaroon tayo ng re-routing, maraming alternate roads na puwedeng daanan. Pero yung public vehicles puwede pa rin pong dumaan diyan, 'di naman totally closed yan. Maiiwan ang at least tig-dalawang lane na both directions po," said Alquiza. "I'd like to ask our motorists to please bear with us, yung mga inconvenience. Sisiguraduhin namin na mamenos ito by providing flyers and directional signs along the way," he said. - with Carmela Lapeña, GMA News