QC to open more routes to ease traffic

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=807844
• Thursday, September 24, 2015

(PNA), LGI/QC-PAISO-PR/LSJ

MANILA, Sept. 24 (PNA) -- The Quezon City government will augment alternative routes through additional Mabuhay lanes to help relieve traffic in the metro’s main thoroughfares.

In a statement issued Thursday by Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS) head Elmo San Diego, the proposed additional Mabuhay lanes shall be opened up from Edsa to Mandaluyong City/Makati City; North Luzon Expressway to Marikina/Makati and San Juan City; San Juan/Mandaluyong to Quezon City and Marikina/Pasig City to Quezon City.

San Diego said that he had submitted the proposal to QC Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Under the proposal, he said, the city shall open up West Avenue for private motorists coming from Edsa going to Mandaluyong City/Makati City while Mindanao Avenue shall be utilized as alternate route by private vehicle owners coming from NLEX to Marikina/Makati and San Juan.

To date, there are about seven QC routes being used as Mabuhay lanes.

Meanwhile, to make sure that secondary roads remain open, San Diego said the city government will no longer allow road closures especially during wakes, karaoke sessions and for livelihood activities and programs of the barangays.

“It is imperative that we clear all city side streets and secondary roads of any form of obstructions to ensure smooth traffic flow especially along areas which can be used as alternate routes,” he said.

He also assured that adequate traffic personnel will be deployed by the DPOS to ensure smooth traffic flow, especially in various choke-points identified by authorities.

Their deployment on extended hours will be on Roosevelt Road, Kaingin Road, SM North Edsa, Timog, Kamuning, Aurora Boulevard, Boni Serrano and Quezon Avenue.

He further said that plans are also underway for the hiring of additional 100 traffic enforcers to be deployed in the night shift, which is from 6 p.m. up to midnight.

San Diego was deputized by Mayor Bautista to lead a task group created to oversee the city’s street clearing operations.

The task group, formed by virtue of an executive order, has been mandated to strictly implement the provisions of Ordinance SP 2068 which prohibits, among others, the occupation or construction of any structure or shanties in any portion of streets, alleys, sidewalks, open spaces and other public places; apprehension of colorum public utility vehicles and tricycles; removal of illegal terminals, illegal markets and vending sites; obstruction of pedestrian paths and sidewalks and easements.