MMDA hands out list of road closures for Traslacion 2018

In observance of the Black Nazarene’s annual feast, the Philippine government will be closing a number of roads that would be affected by the 'Traslacion.’ The yearly event is scheduled to happen tomorrow, January 9, 2018.

The road closures will take effect as early as 10 p.m. tonight, January 8, while there are routes that will be closed by midnight (January 9). Of note, here’s a list of roads that would be inaccessible on the said dates according to a report by GMA News Online:

January 8

• Katigbak and South Drive 
• Northbound lane of Quezon and MacArthur Bridge from Bonifacio Shrine 
• Taft Avenue from Ayala Boulevard to Bonifacio Shrine. 

For motorists whose usual route will be affected, you are advised to take the alternate routes laid out by the Manila Police District (MDP) Traffic Enforcement Unit.

1. For light vehicles intending to take Bonifacio Drive and Roxas Blvd., turn around to Anda Circle leading to A. Soriano Ave. You can then turn right to Gen. Luna St. To Burgos-Orosa Street. 
2. Trucks and buses that usually traverse Bonifacio Drive southbound, on the other hand, would have to turn around Anda Circle all the way back to northbound lane of Road 10. This will lead them to C3 going to their destination. 
3. For those coming from the south and taking the northbound lane of Roxas Blvd., turn right to T.M. Kalaw then left to Orosa St. going to Intramuros. After doing so, turn left to A. Soriano Ave. all the way to respective destination. 
4. Vehicles plying P. Burgos must turn right to Finance Rd. to Ayala Ave. Those using Taft Ave. northbound are to turn right to Ayala Blvd.

January 9

• Stretch of MacArthur, Jones, and Quezon Bridges 
• Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Drive to T.M. Kalaw Street 
• Both lanes of Quezon Boulevard (Quiapo) from A. Mendoza/Fugoso Street and España Avenue/P Campa for southbound and from Taft Avenue/Ayala Boulevard for northbound

Rerouting:

1. Vehicles coming from Quezon City, turn right to P. Campa St. then left to A. Mendoza St. You can then turn right to Fugoso then another right to C.M. Recto Ave. (or left to Nicanor Reyes St. Then right to C.M. Recto). 
2. For those who are coming from Legarda St., turn right to C.M. Recto or left to Mendiola St., while vehicles from Caloocan City traversing Rizal Ave. shall turn right to Fugoso or C.M. Recto. 
3. Heavy vehicles must take Pres. Osmena to Pres. Quirino Ave. to Nagtahan Bridge – via AH Lacson Avenue to Capulong St. (vice versa). Buses taking Taft Ave., on the other hand, should turn right to Ayala Ave. toward their destination. 
4. Vehicles coming from Reina Regente St. using southbound lane are advised to turn right to San Fernando St. or make a U-turn at Plaza Ruiz. Light vehicles intending to take Bonifacio Drive and Roxas Blvd. southbound shall turn around to Anda Circle leading to Delpan or Mariones.

To review all roads that would be closed during the feast of the Black Nazarene, here's a list from a Facebook post by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA): 

• Fugoso / P. Guevarra 
• Rizal Avenue / Doroteo Jose 
• CM. Recto / T. Mapua 
• CM. Recto / S.H. Loyola 
• Andalucia / Fugoso 
• Lerma / Espana 
• CM. Recto / Legarda 
• A. Soriano / Gen. Luna 
• P. Casal / Palangca 
• Anda Circle / Bonifacio Drive 
• A. Villegas / Taft Avenue (Freedom Triangle) 
• Bonifacio Drive / 25th Street 
• Taft Avenue / Finance Road 
• MA. Orosa / P. Burgos 
• Roxas Boulevard / TM. Kalaw

Meanwhile, the agency also mapped the route of the Black Nazarene procession. There are slight adjustments on the route this year, as the procession will no longer pass through the Lagusnilad Bridge for the safety of the large volume of devotees.

Regardless, the procession will still be initiated from Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park, and will be concluded at the Quiapo Church. The new routes are Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Catillejos, and Farnecio streets. 

The annual tradition has been known to be attended by millions of Filipinos each year. With this, let's all hope for a successful and harm-free Traslacion for 2018.

Sources: GMA News Online, MMDA

Photo courtesy of Jsinglador.