NIGHTTIME lane closures will disrupt EDSA near North and West Avenues starting Feb. 1 as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) begins traffic shifts for the launch of MRT 7 steel girders, signaling months of adjustments for commuters in Quezon City.
The closures will allow VPS Steel Structure Corporation, the contractor for MRT 7, to install tower support systems and lift massive steel components that connect to the North EDSA turnback track. Most major work is scheduled from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., but portions of EDSA-North Avenue will face round-the-clock lane reductions to accommodate the construction of these structures.
In a press briefing at the agency’s head office on Friday, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the agency is coordinating with the Quezon City government and the DOTR to manage traffic along the affected corridors.
“Minimal traffic is expected during partial nighttime closures, but motorists should anticipate heavier congestion during full shutdowns needed for the girder launching,” he said. Artes added that traffic enforcers and contractor marshals will be stationed along key points, while signage and zipper lanes will guide motorists safely through detours.
Planned closures will follow a clear schedule:
Nighttime closures (10 p.m.–4 a.m.)
– Feb. 1 to May 19 — North EDSA, from Landmark-Trinoma to the Unified Grand Central Station site
– March 24 to April 29 — West Avenue / EDSA
24/7 partial lane closures for tower supports
– Feb. 1 to May 8 — EDSA-North Avenue, northbound, two lanes closed
– Feb. 15 to May 18 — EDSA-North Avenue, southbound, two lanes closed
Northbound motorists heading to Balintawak from Cubao or southbound to Cubao from Balintawak are advised to follow alternate routes via Quezon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Congressional Avenue, FPJ Avenue, and Timog Avenue to avoid delays. The MMDA also recommended that West Avenue-bound vehicles from Balintawak use designated detours to ease congestion.
The Department of Transportation said the MRT 7 contractor will restore lanes and dismantle temporary structures at the contractor’s expense after each construction phase. Northbound EDSA lanes are set to reopen on May 8, while southbound lanes will reopen on May 18.
As of December 2025, the MRT 7 project is 82-percent complete, with partial commercial operations along the Quezon City segment targeted for the first half of 2027. The ongoing girder launches mark one of the most visible and complex phases of the project, requiring precise coordination of heavy equipment, tower supports, and traffic management.
Commuters can expect slowdowns despite mitigation measures, particularly during full nighttime shutdowns. Artes urged the public and motorists to plan trips and consider flexible schedules while the works are ongoing.