España traffic to worsen due to flood project-MMDA

Expect traffic on España Boulevard, one of Manila’s busiest thoroughfares, to be clogged by heavy traffic in the days ahead due to a road and drainage project. España is perennially flooded during the rainy season.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced alternate routes while the project is ongoing.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the Department of Public Works and Highways would begin working on the project which would affect portions of P. Campa up to Nicanor Reyes Streets on Thursday. Construction was expected to last for two months.

“Motorists must seek alternate routes to avoid traffic buildup in the area,” Tolentino told reporters. Tolentino said that the expected gridlock at the intersection of España Boulevard, Lerma and Nicanor Reyes (Morayta) Streets would greatly affect commuters frequenting the University Belt area.

Under the project, the DPWH would elevate low-lying areas along España Boulevard where flooding has been a perennial problem. Construction would follow a 24/7 schedule although the DPWH said it would not close down the road.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said in a statement posted on the agency’s website, “We want to finish this project within a 60-day period, in time for the opening of college classes that moved their academic year opening to August.”

As part of the government’s efforts to alleviate frequent flooding in Manila, the P14.3 million worth project involves the improvement of the existing drainage line at the corner of on España Boulevard and P. Campa Street and the grade raising of concrete pavement with a length of 102 lineal meters and a total pavement area of 3,310 square meters from Lerma to P. Campa Street.

The widening of the road going to Quiapo between Paquita and R. Papa Streets will also be undertaken alongside the flood mitigation project.

Alternate route for northbound vehicles are the following:

a) From Quezon Boulevard, take A. Mendoza, Laon Laan, Dimasalang or A. Mendoza, J. Barlin, P. Noval, España Boulevard or C.M. Recto

Avenue, Legarda, Earnshaw, S. H. Loyola; and b) from Taft Avenue take Ayala, P. Casal, Legarda, Earnshaw, S. H. Loyola.

Southbound vehicles are recommended to take the following route: 

-Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to FEU, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right S. H. Loyola, right R. Papa to destination

-Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right J. Fajardo, left Earnshaw, right Legarda to destination

-Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, straight to Nagtahan Fly-over and Nagtahan Bridge, right Otis to destination

-Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, right turn at A.H. Lacson, left Dapitan, left A. Mendoza, straight to Quezon Blvd. to destination

STAGE 2 (June 3 to 23, 2014):

Quezon City bound along Espana: Two (2) lanes open
FEU bound: Lane closed

Quiapo bound along Espana: Lane closed from Adelina to R. Papa St.
N. Reyes St. Espana bound: Open to traffic

Southbound alternate routes:

– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to FEU, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right S.H. Loyola, right R. Papa to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right J. Fajardo, left Earnshaw, right Legarda to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, straight to Nagtahan Fly-over and Nagtahan Bridge, right Otis to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, right turn at A.H. Lacson, left Dapitan, left A. Mendoza, straight to Quezon Blvd. to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, right turn at Tolentino St., left A. Mendoza, straight to Quezon Blvd. to destination

Northbound alternate routes:

– Vehicles from Quiapo/Quezon Blvd., right turn at Lerma, straight to Espana to destination
– Vehicles from Quiapo, take Quezon Blvd. service road, right C.M. Recto Avenue, left N. Reyes, right R. Papa, left S.H. Loyola, left P. Noval, right Espana to destination
– Vehicles from Quiapo/Quezon Blvd., straight ahead to C.M. Recto underpass, straight to A. Mendoza, right Laon-laan, right A.H. Lacson to destination

STAGE 3 (June 24 to July 13, 2014):

Quezon City bound along Espana: Two (2) lanes open
FEU bound: Lane closed

Quiapo bound along Espana: Two (2) lanes open
N. Reyes St. Espana bound: Open to traffic

Southbound alternate routes:

– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to FEU, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right S. H. Loyola, right R. Papa to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, right J. Fajardo, left Earnshaw, right Legarda to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, left turn at A.H. Lacson, straight to Nagtahan Fly-over and Nagtahan Bridge, right Otis to destination
– Vehicles from Espana Blvd. to Lawton, City Hall, Pier, right turn at A.H. Lacson, left Dapitan, left A. Mendoza, straight to Quezon Blvd. to destination
Northbound alternate routes:

– Vehicles from Quiapo/Quezon Blvd., right turn at Lerma, straight to Espana to destination
– Vehicles from Quiapo, take Quezon Blvd. service road, right C.M. Recto Avenue, left N. Reyes, right Espana to destination
– Vehicles from Quiapo/Quezon Blvd., straight ahead to C.M. Recto underpass, straight to A. Mendoza, right Laon-laan, right A.H. Lacson to destination

With report by Niña Calleja