MMDA details route before closure of U-turn slot in front of QC Academy

MANILA: After announcing the closure of 13 U-turn slots on EDSA just a week ago to make way for a new bus lane, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)  kicked off all the work and started sealing several slots this week.

The first to be closed was the U-turn slot right before MRT North Avenue Station last September 28. Affected vehicles were advised to take the U-turn slot in front of Quezon City Academy.

It caused traffic early that day as public utility buses (PUBs) heading southbound on EDSA blocked traffic maneuvering into a U-turn slot that wasn’t there anymore. MMDA personnel were deployed to the scene and was able to get traffic moving sometime in the afternoon.

Yesterday, the MMDA announced that it would be closing both the northbound and southbound U-turn slots in front of Quezon City Academy starting October 12.

The announcement was made a lot earlier this time and a comprehensive routing scheme has been put in place and will also be instituted near the affected U-turn slot starting October 5.

Motorists are advised to take note of where the next available U-turn is located:

• From northbound going southbound, affected vehicles may take U-turn slot after Congressional Avenue (in front of Landers)
• From southbound going northbound, affected vehicles may take U-turn slot after Quezon Avenue Service Road (under Quezon Avenue flyover)

Traffic enforcers will be deployed to affected locations to assist motorists and manage vehicular traffic.

"The eventual closure of U-turn slots along Edsa will make commuters travel through the Edsa Carousel easier, more convenient, and faster," said MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim.

Closure of the U-turn slots along EDSA aims to dedicate the innermost lane for PUBs in order to speed up the travel time of commuters.

Photo screen-grabbed from Google Maps

Also read: No Beep card, no ride on EDSA Busway starting Oct. 1