The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) advises motorists and commuters to avoid the area of Rizal Park (Luneta) in the heart of Manila with the closure of southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard from Katigbak Parkway (across Padre Burgos Avenue) to South Drive (across T.M. Kalaw Avenue).
DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson clarified that the road closure which created traffic slowdown at Roxas Boulevard and adjacent Bonifacio Drive since last Sunday, February 2, 2014, is not attributed to any roadworks excavation or pavement reblocking in the area but due to preparatory works for the staging of International Shell Eco-Marathon Asia event in Manila slated to run on February 6-9, 2014.
As alternative routes, all vehicles coming from Pier Zone intending to utilize the southbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn left to P. Burgos, right to Maria Orosa, right to T.M. Kalaw, and left to Roxas Boulevard to point of destination.
All vehicles coming from southern part of Manila intending to utilize the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard shall turn right to T.M. Kalaw Avenue, left to Maria Orosa Avenue, left Padre Burgos Avenue, and right Bonifacio Drive to point of destination.
Normal flow of traffic in the adjacent area of Roxas Boulevard and Bonifacio Drive is expected to resume on midnight of February 14, 2014.
According to event organizer Shell Philippines, the Shell Eco-marathon which for the first time will be held in Manila since it began in Asia back in 2010, is an annual event pitting students from all around the world against each other in an engineering and design challenge.