U-turn slots closure: Brace for traffic jams

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday advised motorists and commuters to brace for traffic jams due to the closure of U-turn slots along EDSA until the end of the year.

Traffic crawled along EDSA yesterday following the closure of the U-turn slot near Trinoma and North Avenue.

Motorists are advised to take alternate routes. Those coming from EDSA southbound to northbound may take Quezon Avenue service road U-turn slot, while those from northbound going southbound may take the Quezon Academy U-turn slot.

MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia said traffic congestion was expected, especially on the first day of the closure of U-turn slots.

The agency has warned the public about the closures of U-turn slots as early as last week, Garcia said.

He advised motorists to familiarize themselves with the detours because more U-turn slots would be closed in the coming days.

U-turn slots to be closed for the seamless implementation of the EDSA bus carousel are the following: De Jesus, Gen. Tinio, Malvar and Biglang-Awa in Caloocan; and Balintawak, Kaingin, Landers, Dario Bridge, WalterMart, Quezon City Academy, Timog and Santolan in Quezon City.