Commonwealth Ave. traffic to worsen

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has warned of long commuting and driving hours in Quezon City as the construction of Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-7 along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City starts this week.

“Even without any construction, traffic is already heavy, what more with this kind of project ahead,” said MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pialago, referring to the rail project that will close two lanes from the center island on both directions of Commonwealth Avenue.

Motorists that would be affected by the project may take alternative routes, Pialago said.

“For those going to Fairview, motorists may turn right on University Avenue, Carlos P. Garcia, Lakan Street, Tandang Sora Avenue, Congressional Extension, and Luzon Avenue,” Pialago said.

Those going to Quezon city Memorial Circle, motorists may turn right on Luzon Avenue, Congressional Extension, Tandang Sora Avenue and Central Avenue, she added.

Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) head Tim Orbos said 300 traffic enforcers will be assigned to Commonwealth, the widest highway in Metro Manila, with seven lanes on both directions.

“We must realize that these infrastructure projects will benefit our countrymen in the long run. But for the meantime, we appeal to Metro Manila who would be inconvenienced by the construction to bear with us,” said Orbos, who is also Transportation undersecretary for Road Transport.

Traffic is expected to build up along Commonwealth as the project construction goes ahead in earnest. In 2016, there were 272,255 vehicles on Commonwealth every day.

MRT-7 will be 22.8 kilometers long and run from North Avenue, Quezon City, to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. It will pass through Quezon City and Caloocan City in Metro Manila and have 14 stations.

“The contractor of the rapid transit line project and several traffic volunteers will also assist in directing traffic in the area,” Orbos said.

Aside from traffic management, I-ACT will also intensify its campaign against illegal parking, colorum and out-of-line vehicles, and illegal terminals along the stretch of Commonwealth to cushion the expected traffic build-up.

The reactivation of I-ACT was deemed necessary by the government to ensure proper coordination among various agencies involved in traffic and infrastructure.