A gentleman is never rude except on purpose — I can honestly be nasty sober, believe you me. I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness. What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
—Christopher Hitchens
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What I like with my condominium along EDSA is that its entrance is on Samar Street, a street that is barely used by both vehicles and pedestrians alike. This street is so deserted that student drivers are using it to practice driving.
Not anymore.
Since the start of repairs and rehabilitation of the EDSA-Kamuning Flyover, a structure that has been in use since the time of ex-President Fidel V. Ramos, Samar Street has become congested with all sorts of vehicles, mostly motorcycles. It has become the most popular and widely used detour route for motorists from the north, going to Cubao and Makati.
Metro Manila motorists and commuters passing along EDSA in Quezon City have been suffering heavy traffic and detours in the areas between Quezon Avenue and Cubao since May 1, 2024.
To the credit of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes, the Authority started posting signage starting last April 22, along the road leading to the flyover to inform motorists early about the traffic flow tweak.
"We used the time to inform the public. So they can take the different roads and not create a bottleneck and traffic congestion," Artes said.
The southbound portion of the EDSA-Kamuning flyover in Quezon City is partially closed to vehicular traffic for six months during the repair period.
The DPWH will begin the by-phase retrofitting of the flyover to strengthen the bridge and avoid further damage as preventive measures against natural disasters like earthquakes. It is expected to fully open to vehicular traffic on October 25.
The retrofitting of the Kamuning flyover is a significant step in the government's efforts to rehabilitate structures as part of efforts in boosting preparedness for the "Big One" in case it happens.
"Even though the flyover will be partially closed during the rehabilitation [work], it will still be passable to public utility buses on the EDSA bus carousel," Artes said. The agency will also study whether emergency vehicles can be allowed to use the busway in the flyover on a case-to-case basis.
"Although the southbound lane of the Kamuning flyover will not be entirely closed, we are advising the motorists, especially private vehicles, to use the Mabuhay Lanes as alternate routes to avoid heavy traffic expected due to the re-decking works," he added.
Meanwhile, private vehicles are taking the following alternate routes: from EDSA/Quezon Avenue – southbound (SB) make a right turn to Panay Avenue then left turn to Sgt. Esguerra Avenue, left to Timog Avenue then right turn to EDSA Service Road then right to Mother Ignacia Avenue.
While government engineers and workers are busy in Kamuning, the DPWH in the National Capital Region has announced the closing for repairs of the Legarda Flyover that connects Legarda St. with Ramon Magsaysay Blvd. in Sampaloc, Manila. This area is of vital importance because the place leads to Malacanang Palace.
The closing of the structure started on Saturday, July 6 and it will be opened on Nov. 6—a full four months of repair and rehabilitation. In an advisor of the DPWH-NCR office, the regional office said government engineers will replace 19 units of damaged expansion joints in the flyover.
Repairs are set to start on the westbound lane heading to Legarda. The eastbound lane leading to Magsaysay Boulevard will also be partially closed for maintenance work. The DPWH said the repair process should be completed by Nov. 6.
"Motorists are advised of traffic congestion during the repair works, and to use possible alternative routes," the DPWH advisory read. Affected lanes will be opened immediately after completion of the repairs, it added.
It is well to note that the DPWH is doing these flyover repairs as pro-active, preventive measures against natural and man-made accidents and disasters that may visit these structures. Credit should go to DPWH NCR Regional Director Lorie Malaluan for this vital initiative, and by extension, to Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
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