Traffic is momentarily worse with the closure of Meralco Avenue, so here are some alternative routes you can take. That stretch of road is important as it connects Ortigas Center and Barangay Kapitolyo with Shaw Boulevard dividing the two.

For those going to Barangay Kapitolyo, the most direct way is to pass through Camino Verde Road in Capitol Commons, and cross the Kapitolyo-Shaw intersection (shown with the orange path). However, that is also the most congested path with traffic reaching as far as the East Wing of Estancia during peak hours.

Another alternative would be to pass through Captain Henry Javier and turn right to Shaw Boulevard from Oranbo Drive (shown with the blue path). However, you’d still have to make a left at the Kapitolyo-Shaw intersection.

If you’ll be coming from San Miguel Avenue, you could head straight to Sheridan Street, then turn left to United Street (shown with the green path).

Those coming out of Kapitolyo have access to the gate at San Roque Street (shown with the orange path). From this exit, you could head to D. Floro Street or Pasig Boulevard, both giving access to C5.

If you’ll be heading to the bridge, there’s no need to pass by Brixton Street as cars can exit directly to Fairlane Street (shown with the blue path) from West Capitol Drive.

Please take note that only the main gate on West Capitol Drive is open 24 hours. The other gates are only open from 5am to 10pm, except the San Roque gate, which closes at 8pm.

In spite of these alternatives, traffic was still bad even before the closure of Meralco Avenue. If you’re traveling only within the area, you might be better off cycling or walking, if possible.

Also, just because a path is the shortest one doesn’t always mean it’s the quickest route, because according to Braess’s Paradox, everyone will try to pass there.

However, nothing is permanent as people will adapt, and traffic will normalize eventually. Until then, we’ll have to live with the birth pangs of the construction of the Metro Manila Subway.

NOTE: Cars are now allowed to enter Barangay Kapitolyo via Fairlane Street from 5am to 10pm.