Expect heavier-than-usual traffic

Expect heavier traffic and harder-than-usual filtering for the many, many motorcycle riders who ply both Commonwealth Ave. and Tandang Sora Ave. in Quezon City daily as the Deparment of Transportation (DOTr) is set to demolish the flyover that cuts across both main avenues beginning March 1. The closure and subsequent demolition is to give way for the construction of the 23-kilometer MRT Line 7 that will stretch from San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan all the way to North Avenue in Quezon City.

The P62.7 Billion project had already narrowed the 18-lane Commonwealth Avenue (9 lanes per direction) into a 6-lane highway, and at some points to just 4 working lanes per direction. Motorcycle riders may have to double their efforts squeezing in and out of the traffic caused by the Tandang Sora flyover closure and eventually, its demolition. As for drivers and commuters, more patience and earlier wake up times are needed to compensate for the prolonged travel time.

According to the MMDA, the Tandang Sora flyover's closure will span well into next year, OR, until the MRT Line 7 construction is completed. For now, the MMDA has yet to make an advisory regarding the matter. If the agency will stick to their original traffic re-routing scheme, affected motorists will have to divert towards the temporary U-Turn slots 500 meters away from the large intersection on both directions. They are also considering the addition of elevated U-Turn slots, although plans for that have yet to be finalized.