MMDA: Traffic flow along Commonwealth Ave. improved after flyover closure

By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the traffic situation along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City has improved since the Tandang Sora flyover was closed last week.
“It turned out good or better than what we expected. So ngayon, well, nakakakapa na lahat ng mga dumadaan diyan, kung ano yung mga U-Turns, tapos yung mga loading and unloading areas, yung mga pinagbabawal namin na mga obstructions, nakapag-adjust na lahat, pati mga illegal vendors (It turned out good or better than what we expected. Right now, motorists have already adjusted with the new U-Turns, loading and unloading areas, and the prohibited obstructions. Everyone has already adjusted even illegal vendors),” said EDSA Special Traffic and Transport Zone chief Edison Nebrija in a phone interview with BusinessWorld on Friday, March 8.
The four-lane Tandang Sora flyover and the intersection along Commonwealth Ave. was closed last March 2 to give way for the construction of the Tandang Sora station of the Metro Rail Transit-7, which is expected to last for two years.
“Na-foresee namin na bumilis pa nga [yung biyahe], kasi wala na yung stoplight, wala na yung intersection, so dire-diretso na lang (Travel time became faster because there is no stoplight and intersection anymore, so everyone can just go straight up the road),” added Mr. Nebrija.
Although traffic flow improved along Commonwealth Ave., Mr. Nebrija said vehicles coming from Fairview experience congestion near Quezon Memorial Circle and on East Avenue especially during early rush hours.
“Ang naging problema ngayon, sa umaga, coming from Fairview bumilis yung time sa Commonwealth, pero naipon naman yung Quezon Memorial Circle at sa East Avenue. Pero sa gabi naman, wala namang problema (The problem now in the morning, if you come from Fairview, you will have faster travel time in Commonwealth Ave., but it becomes congested along Quezon Memorial Circle and East Avenue. But there is no problem in the evening),” he said.