MMDA reminds motorists of alternate routes, conducts clearing operation

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday reminded motorists to take alternate routes as it conducted clearing operations to manage the traffic during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Parade of Stars in Quezon City.

According to a report of Bam Alegre on GMA News’ Unang Balita, MMDA personnel issued tickets and towed illegally parked vehicles on the side of the concerned roads.

MMDA traffic czar Bong Nebrija said MMDA personnel will patrol around the alternate routes to make sure that the roads are clear as heavy traffic is expected in the area.

“In-expect natin na magkaroon tayo ng mabigat na traffic dito sa (We expect heavy traffic here in) Quezon Avenue when the parade starts,” he said.

In an interview on Unang Balita, MMDA spokesperson Melissa Carunungan reminded motorists to take alternate routes as E. Rodriguez westbound portion will be closed to traffic starting at 3:30 p.m.

“Simula 3:30 ngayong araw isasara na po ang westbound direction ng E. Rodriguez (Starting 3:30 p.m. today, the westbound direction of E. Rodriguez will be closed to traffic),” she said.

The parade will be conducted along the stretch of Quezon Avenue from Mabuhay Rotonda to the Quezon Memorial Circle at 4 p.m. and will last for around two hours and 30 minutes, she added.

Around 700 MMDA personnel and 1,000 city government  personnel will be deployed to manage the event, according to Carunungan.

In its advisory on Tuesday, the MMDA advised to motorists to avoid the concerned portion of Quezon Avenue and take the following alternate routes:

VEHICLES TOWARDS EDSA/QMC:

• Vehicles traveling from España Boulevard should turn right at Blumentritt Road then left at Sto. Tomas Street or Matimyas Street, right Nicanor Ramirez., left at Cordillera St, right at E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, left at Tomas Morato, right at Timog Ave towards East Avenue to destination.

• Vehicles traveling from España Boulevard may also turn right at Nicanor Ramirez, go straight towards Cordillera St., right at E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., left at Tomas Morato, right at Timog Ave. towards East Avenue to destination.

VEHICLES TOWARDS MANILA AREA:

• Vehicles traveling from Quezon Avenue tunnel up ramp should turn right at Biak na Bato, left at Dapitan Street, left at Lacson Avenue and right at Espana Boulevard to destination.

• Vehicles traveling from Quezon Avenue turn right at D Tuazon Street, then left at Sen. Mariano Cuenco to Piy Margal Street, left at Blumentritt Road, then right at España Blvd to destination.

VEHICLES TOWARDS DEL MONTE AVENUE AND ARANETA AVENUE:

• Vehicles traveling from España Boulevard should take Mabuhay Rotonda, then right at Blumentritt Road, then right at Piy Margal Street, then left to Mayon Street to their destination.

VEHICLES TOWARDS E. RODRIGUEZ SR. AVENUE, EDSA/QMC:

• Vehicles traveling from Mayon Street should turn right at Piy Margal Street, left at Blumentritt Rd. then left at Sto. Tomas Street or Matimyas Street, right at Nicanor Ramirez St., and straight towards Cordillera St. right at E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave., Left at Tomas Morato, right at Timog Ave towards East Avenue to destination.

Meanwhile, movement at several intersections will be restricted at the following areas:

• Left turn movement at the intersection of Quezon Avenue-Araneta Avenue westbound will be restricted.

• Left turn movement at the intersection of EDSA-Quezon Avenue will be restricted.

Motorists may take the following alternate routes:

VEHICLES GOING EDSA NORTHBOUND FROM MABUHAY ROTONDA:

Take Quezon Avenue Service Road, turn right at EDSA, take the U-turn slot beneath the EDSA-Quezon Ave flyover near McDonalds, then straight towards destination.

VEHICLES TOWARDS EDSA SOUTHBOUND FROM QMC:

Turn right at EDSA from Quezon Ave service road, then make a U-turn beneath EDSA-Quezon Ave flyover in front of Census Bldg, then straight towards destination.

VEHICLES COMING FROM NORTH AVENUE TOWARDS QMC:

Take the U-turn slot in front of McDonalds after the intersection of EDSA/Quezon Avenue and make a right turn at Quezon Avenue towards destination.

VEHICLES COMING FROM MAKATI TOWARDS MABUHAY ROTONDA:

Take the U-turn slot beneath EDSA-Quezon Ave flyover in front of Census Bldg., then right at Quezon Avenue towards destination.

VEHICLES COMING FROM MABUHAY ROTONDA GOING TO EDSA NORTH AVENUE:

Make a left turn at Quezon Ave - West Ave. intersection and use the West Ave route going to the North EDSA area.

LEFT TURNING VEHICLES COMING FROM MAKATI AREA GOING TO QUEZON AVE WESTBOUND:

Use EDSA-Timog Service road and make a U-turn towards EDSA southbound then right turn at the Timog Avenue towards destination.

VEHICLES COMING FROM QMC GOING TO EDSA:

Take East Ave Exit going to EDSA.

With the theme “Balik Saya sa MMFF 2022,” the film festival will run from  December 25, 2022 to January 7, 2023. The Gabi ng Parangal will be held on December 27. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News