The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that a portion of Roxas Boulevard will be closed for two to three months. A damaged oil drainage structure in front of Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay City has to be rehabilitated, hence the immediate closure of the Roxas Boulevard - Southbound.
MMDA will temporarily close a portion of Roxas Boulevard
With a damaged drainage culvert, the structure can collapse anytime especially considering that it was constructed way back in the 1970s. MMDA aims to construct an efficient drainage system that can help prevent flooding in surrounding areas.
“Heavy vehicles and trucks traversing the major thoroughfare have contributed to the damage of the drainage culvert over time. There is a danger that the drainage structure, constructed in the 1970s, would collapse, so rehabilitation must be done immediately,” said MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos inspects the damaged drainage culvert
Around 53,000 vehicles typically traverse the Roxas Boulevard – Southbound including trucks. With that being said, the MMDA appealed for the motoring public’s understanding of the inconvenience the road closure would cause as this temporary road closure should result in heavier traffic.
But at least, the government agency brought back the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) after being suspended for nearly two years. The re-implementation of the UVVRP can help reduce the volume of vehicles during rush hours. The MMDA is imposing the number coding scheme from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, except holidays.
The rehabilitation is expected to be completed in around three months
Abalos said that they still have to determine the exact date of the road closure. Upon closure, motorists and truck drivers are advised to take a detour and use alternative routes for the duration of the rehabilitation.
“The DPWH said that they have to rehabilitate the drainage structure and close the entire southbound but give us three days to make a careful study of the impact of the possible road closure and make recommendations on how to divert the vehicles,” added Abalos.
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