Keep your cool while navigating Edsa’s road repairs

INQUIRER file photo

ON WEDNESDAY, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) starts repair work, or what is now more commonly referred to as reblocking, on the first 37 of 94 sections of Edsa.
Motorists who cannot avoid passing through the identified concrete road segments will just have to brace themselves for the tight traffic squeeze, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday when most of the metro dwellers still have to commute from home to work and back.

Any traffic jams will be expected to slightly ease on Maundy Thursday, GoodFriday, and Black Saturday as Filipinos start their Lenten preparations, or have already left the city for a long-week break from work. But Easter Sunday could turn into a monster road situation as Metro Manilans head back to their homes in preparation for reporting back to work on Monday.

Repairs on the southbound route will start on Holy Wednesday, April 16, at 2 p.m., and will be completed on Good Friday, April 18, at 5 a.m.

A total of 47 sections will be excavated and re-concreted. Eleven will be in Makati, 13 in Mandaluyong, and most number, a total of 23, will be in Quezon City.

Repairs on the northbound route, on the other hand, start on Good Friday, April 18, at 5 a.m., and will end on Easter  Monday, April, 21, at 5 a.m.

The designated northbound areas are Makati (13 areas), Mandaluyong (18), and Quezon City (16).

Avoid traffic

Those travelling southbound from afternoon of Holy Wednesday to early morning of Good Friday are advised to check with the MMDA travel app for traffic volume flows on alternative routes left (C5) or right (QC, Mandaluyong and Makati streets) of Edsa to keep travel delays to the minimum.

The same advice is given those travelling northbound from early morning of GoodFriday to early morning of Easter Monday.

If you’re on Edsa and there is heavy traffic ahead, detour at the nearest open turn. Or even take the designated u-turns to find another route. Even if the road to your destination will be longer, you’re still able to save on gasoline and time instead of having to inch your way on the road.

Respect other drivers
Motorists who find themselves in the exact areas where the road repairs are ongoing, patience is of extreme importance. And yes, remembering the most basic of driving etiquette is a sure way to avoid road rage, or being a victim of such.

The most common situation will be trying to cut into an open lane when avoiding the closed lane being repaired. Signal your intention and slowly ease into the open lane. If for some reason the vehicle on your right or left side will not want you to cut in, wait patiently for the next willing driver.
Remember that not all drivers are unwilling to give way to other motorists. But if you encounter one, let him have his way. Losing your temper or getting in a driving altercation is not going to do anyone any good, especially if there is a resulting damage to property.

Mind the motorcycles
For sure, motorcycle drivers will still choose to take Edsa despite the road repair warnings. When moving to another lane or even taking to turn to avoid the traffic ahead, always   be mindful of motorcycles trying to get through the heavy volume of vehicles.

A gentle honk or signalling your intention to make a turn is always a good way to warn motorcycles to keep a safe distance from you. Remember that motorcycle drivers wear a helmet, and much as this keeps them safe from most accidents, this can also impede their vision.
Keep a safe distance from any motorcycle. Remember that even a slight brush on these two-wheeled vehicles can upset their balance. This becomes doubly risky when the motorcycle carries two passengers.

Blind spotting
In tight situations, always check and recheck your right, left and back. And be especially mindful of your blind spots where another vehicle may be trying to pass you.

Gently accelerate and apply the brakes. Avoid surprising other motorists on the road by making hasty moves, including swerving the steering wheel to the left or the right.
Finally, don’t get distracted by your GPS or your radio or your smartphone. When trying to get out of a tight traffic jam, keep your focus only on one thing: getting out safely and doing no harm to other motorists and commuters.