THE start of the “‘Ber months” not only signals the approaching Christmas season but the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila because of the closure of two major bridges.

RISING SONS President Rodrigo Duterte visits the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force escort flotilla docked at Subic Bay. With him are Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Koji Haneda and Armed Forces chief Carlito Galvez. Photo by Andrea de la Cruz

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said work on the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge that connects Mandaluyong City and Makati City will start soon while the old Sta. Mesa Bridge connecting San Juan City and Quezon City will be closed for seven months to make way for the construction of the Skyway Project.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia said the agency will conduct clearing operations on alternate routes to ease the expected traffic jams.

“This month, the Estrella Bridge will be closed. So where would the 100,000 [vehicles] a day pass? Where will they go? Again to EDSA,” Garcia said.

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Aside from relentless clearing operations against illegal vendors and illegally parked vehicles along Mabuhay Lanes, the MMDA has carried out other measures to ease traffic such as the number coding scheme, carpooling and the reduction of provincial buses on EDSA.