MMDA: Take alternate routes to avoid Black Nazarene procession

Avoid these areas where the Traslacion will pass on Wednesday

Motorcycle riders are almost ‘immune’ to the immense traffic nightmare that the Metro is facing almost everyday. However, come Wednesday January 9 2019, the annual Traslación of the Black Nazarene, which is expected to draw millions of the icon’s devotees, will close many major roads of the city. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) thus warned motorists to avoid the areas of the procession and their vicinities. Because of the heavy crowds, even motorcycle riders will not be able to weave through the traffic standstill it will cause. With the bulk of festivities happening at the Quirino Grandstand as early as today Jan. 8th, an early party of 350 MMDA personnel are already handling the flow of traffic around the area.

As for the procession itself, the route of the Grand Procession of the Black Nazarene will be from the Quirino Grandstand to Katigbak Drive, through P. Burgos (west bound), left on Taft Ave. through Jones Bridge, right to Dasmarinas St., right to Plaza Sta. Cruz St; left on Carlos Palanca street, under Quezon Bridge, left on Quezon Blvd., right on Arlegui street., right on Fraternal street., right at Vergara street, left on Duque de Alba street, left at Castillejos street, left at Farnecio street, right at Arlegui street, left on Nepomuceno street (counterflow), left on Aguila street, right at Carcer street, right on Hidalgo, through Plaza del Carmen, left on Bilibid Viejo, through Puyat, left on Guzman street, right on Hidalgo street, left on Baustista (Barbosa) street, right on Globo de Oro, under the Quezon Bridge, right at Palanca street, right at Villalobos, and through Plaza Miranda to Quiapo Church.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area surrounding Quirino Grandstand all the way to Quiapo Church and to plan their routes accordingly so as to avoid congestion on January 9th.

All vehicles coming from the northern part of Manila that intend to use the southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive will have to turn right to Roberto S. Oca street, turn left to Delgado, make a left to Bonifacio Drive, turn right to A. Soriano towards Magallanes Drive, take a right to P. Burgos, and then go straight to Lagunsilad to Taft Avenue. In addition, motorists that plan to proceed to southern Manila (and vice versa) can utilize the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan, or use Road 10 to Roxas Blvd.

Motorists traversing the northbound lane of Taft Avenue will need to turn right to A. Villegas, and make a right towards Quezon Bridge (the northbound lane of Quezon Blvd. is open to traffic). Vehicles that will come from Quezon City via Espana will have to make a right at P. Campa, take a left at Andulcia, make a right to Fugoso and take a left turn to T. Mapua.

 PUJs and other light vehicles that will come from Espana and proceed to South Pier Zone will need to turn left at Nicanor Reyes, make a right to Recto straight to JAS, make a left towards Reina Regente, and then take Jones Bridge.

Those coming from Divisoria and need to pass through Recto are advised to turn left at T. Alonzo, right to Fugoso and then left to Andalucia. On the other hand, vehicles coming in from Legarda will need to turn right to Recto or make a left to Mendiola.