Quezon Ave-Araneta Ave Underpass: Alternative Routes Part 3

Today marks another milestone in our nation's progress. Construction of an underpass in one of the busiest intersections of Metro Manila, Quezon Avenue-Araneta Avenue, begins today. We should welcome and embrace these kinds of major development in our city's infrastructure as it paves ways for more positive changes in our lives. When roads are less congested, we get to our destinations - workplaces, schools, businesses, appointments, commitments, events, etc. - on time without stressing ourselves. Thus, giving us more reasons to live in a healthy lifestyle.

In my previous posts Quezon Ave-Araneta Ave Underpass: Alternative Routes and Quezon Ave-Araneta Ave Underpass: Alternative Routes Part 2, we've detailed the Alternative Routes MMDA and DPWH designed for private motorists who are the ones directly affected by this project. I've also made suggestions for shortcuts from certain roads to these alternate routes as well as adding more routes to take from our authorities' suggested routes to the usual route you take. If you haven't seen them yet, just go to my previous posts.

My post today tackles a route to take from Quezon City to Quiapo and beyond. I consider this as an alternate to the Alternate Routes given by our authorities. I think this route is faster than "Del Monte - A. Bonifacio Ave - Blumentritt - Dimasalang" Route.

It's more simple, needs only two turns from Del Monte Avenue and shorter as well.

Follow the direction from West Avenue or Quezon Avenue in the post entitled Quezon Ave-Araneta Ave Underpass: Alternative Routes to take Del Monte Avenue.

Drive on Del Monte Avenue all the way and cross Gregorio Araneta Avenue, simply known as Araneta Avenue. After crossing Araneta Avenue, you need to cross another intersection with traffic lights. This is Sto Domingo Street, the road where the big campus of Siena College is situated right at the corner of Del Monte and Sto Domingo. Cross Sto Domingo Street and then turn left on the next street which is Biak na Bato.

Ladies and Gentelmen, welcome to our side roads.

At this point, you're in Biak na Bato Street. This road, the way I see it, is built across an affluent village with big 80's homes, large compounds with tall concrete walls and enclosed warehouses. You can barely see people along the sidewalks. It's almost deserted. Still, displays signs of wealth. And in my own opinion, roads like this should be avoided at night if you're driving a brand new car especially those with no plates yet. Even during the day, you must extra careful in taking side road with less vehicles passing through it. I'm sure you're updated with the current news about carjacking incidents involving brand new cars the latest of which happened in broad daylight and at an area less likely to be a carjacking scene - Kamuning.

Back to our topic. Along Biak na Bato, next main intersection is N.S. Amoranto Avenue. Before N.S. Amoranto Sr Avenue, you will cross two streets - Sta Catalina and Alcaraz streets.

Go cross N.S. Amoranto Avenue Sr Avenue.

After N.S. Amoranto, you will cross seven more small intersections, namely Macopa, Don Manuel Agregado, Samat, Calamba, Atok, Simoun and Tirad Pass before you cross another main intersection which is Maria Clara.

Next to Maria Clara is Dapitan Street, the road where you take the second turn to get to Quezon Boulevard. Turn right onto Dapitan. Road sign with Dapitan word on it is erected at the left corner of Dapitan and Biak na Bato. Drive all the way and traverse the approximately 3 kilometer distance of Dapitan from Biak na Bato to Quezon Boulevard. You will cross dozens of small streets and seven main intersections, namely Banawe Ave, D. Tuazon, Mayon Avenue, Blumentritt, Maceda, Vicente G. Cruz and Lacson Avenue before you get to Quezon Boulevard. You will also cross PNR railroad crossing at Antipolo Street. Lacson Avenue, the last road to cross is wide and with large center island. At Dapitan-Lacson Avenue intersection, you can turn left to Lacson to get to Espana, Nagtahan and UST Espana Gates. If you're going to Gates 9 and 10 of UST, go cross Lacson Avenue. After crossing Lacson Avenue, you will cross 8 small T-intersections to the right before you approach the wide Quezon Boulevard.

One important information - Quezon Boulevard is Alfonso Mendoza Street. You will not see Quezon Boulevard sign in the intersection. Our authorities refer to this road as Quezon Boulevard even if the signs along this road read Alfonso Mendoza Street. In Google Map, you will see that the northern portion of this road is Alfonso Mendoza while the southern part which is towards Central Market and Lerma is named Quezon Boulevard.

As you approach Quezon Boulevard aka Alfonso Mendoza Street, you will notice that Dapitan Street is diagonal to Quezon Boulevard. A Shell Station is situated along Alfonso Mendoza aka Quezon Boulevard opposite Dapitan Street that serves as landmark for motorists. Turn left on Quezon Boulevard aka Alfonso Mendoza to get to Quiapo and onto your destinations, e.g. Lawton, Intramuros, Manila City Hall, SM City Manila, Rizal Park, National Museum, Manila Hotel, Quirino Grandstand, Manila Ocean Park, US Embassy, Ermita, Robinson's Place Mall, Roxas Boulevard, Central Bank, CCP Complex, SM Mall of Asia, etc. Manila Hotel. Philippine Islands. (Map title: A Cartograph of the Major Philippine Islands. "The Riviera of the Orient").

In comparison, the Alternate Route of "Del Monte - A. Bonibacio - Blumentritt - Dimasalang - Laon Laan Quezon Boulevard" measures approximately 4.5 kilometers from Biak na Bato to Quezon Boulevard corner Dapitan, while "Biak na Bato - Dapitan - Quezon Boulevard" route measures approximately 4.3 kilometers. Traffic-wise, "Del Monte - A. Bonifacio - Blumentritt - Dimasalang" is heavier.

Hope this post as well as the previous ones help you decide which one to take in getting to your destinations. If you find these articles helpful, you can Like DirectionsOnWeb on Facebook or subscribe to my posts.

Alfonso Mendoza AKA Quezon Boulevard route from Dapitan to Quiapo