A PORTION of Roxas Boulevard would be closed to vehicular traffic to give way to the rehabilitation of a damaged old drainage structure in front of Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay City.

During an inspection on Wednesday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos said the rehabilitation of the damaged Libertad Drainage Main Box Culvert, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways, would require the immediate closure of the Roxas Boulevard-Southbound.

“Heavy vehicles and trucks traversing the major thoroughfare have contributed to the damage of the drainage culvert overtime. There is a danger that the drainage structure, constructed in the 1970s, would collapse, so rehabilitation must be done immediately,” Abalos said during the inspection.

The DPWH South Manila District Engineering Office is now undertaking initial repairs at the area but needs to close the entire southbound for two to three months to replace the damaged Libertad Drainage Main Box Culvert.

Abalos said they have yet to determine the date of the closure.

“The DPWH said 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,” he added.

The closure would allow DPWH to construct an efficient drainage system leading to Libertad Pumping Station, preventing flooding in surrounding areas.

Once closed, motorists and truck drivers will have to take a detour and use alternative routes for the duration of the rehabilitation.

“This early, we are appealing for the public’s understanding for the inconvenience the possible road closure would cause,” said Abalos.

Currently, at least 53,000 vehicles including trucks, are traversing the Roxas Boulevard southbound direction alone.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Edd Reyes