MMDA to remove 13 U-turn slots along EDSA for additional bus lane

MANILA: Prepare to take longer routes if you plan on doubling back on EDSA as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announces plans to slowly remove 13 U-turn slots along EDSA to pave way for another bus lane.

It wasn’t long ago when the agency began deliberating on this option. In early July 2020, the MMDA began studying the possibility of closing U-turn slots on EDSA to speed up travel time of public utility buses (PUBs). Two months after, they’re starting implementation.

According to MMDA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Celine Pialago, it will take a span of three months before all 13 U-turn slots are closed and it will start with three U-turn slots in Caloocan City, General Tinio U-turn slot, De Jesus Street/ 8th Street left turning, and General Malvar U-turn slot. Vehicles affected by the closure must take a turn at Monumento Circle (Northbound towards southbound) and Balintawak Cloverleaf (Southbound towards northbound) to their points of destination. Vehicles coming from NLEX towards or taking left at A. De Jesus/8th Street must go straight, take A. Bonifacio Avenue, then right at C3/Sgt. Rivera to destination.

It will be followed by the closure of seven U-turn slots in Quezon City, between Balintawak Cloverleaf and Quezon Avenue. These are the Balintawak Market U-turn slot in front of BPI, Kaingin Road U-turn slot in front of Nissan, Congressional LRT Station U-turn slot in front of Panorama, Corregidor intersection/Bansalangin U-turn slot, U-turn slot in front of Quezon City Academy, North Avenue U-turn slot before MRT-North Avenue, and Santolan/Boni Serrano U-turn slot in front of Camp Crame. Affected vehicles must take U-turn at Balintawak Cloverleaf (southbound) and Quezon Avenue (northbound) to destination.

Only one U-turn slot in Makati City will be closed, the Buendia U-turn slot under the Kalayaan Flyover. Vehicles coming from Guadalupe (southbound to northbound) must now take a U-turn using the service road/ intersection of EDSA/ Ayala Avenue.

Two U-turn slots in Pasay City will be closed, P. Celle U-turn slot and the U-turn slot before Roxas Boulevard near Heritage Hotel. Affected vehicles coming from FB Harrison (northbound to southbound) shall take U-turn slot under Magallanes Flyover and vehicles coming from south going north must take signalized intersection or MOA Circle.

Pialago says the MMDA will replace these U-turn slots with others in a different location.

“The barriers for the new bus lane that we will install will really close the U-turn slots along EDSA,” said Pialago.

Photo from wikimapia.org

Also read: MMDA reports 87% drop in EDSA accidents in last 3 months