Manuel L. Quezon Avenue, more often called as Quezon Avenue, or simply Quezon Ave, is a, six-to-fourteen lane, major thoroughfare in Metro Manila named after President Manuel Luis Quezon, the second president of the Philippines. The avenue starts at the Quezon Memorial Circle and runs through to the Welcome Rotonda at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila. It is one of the most comfortable roads in Quezon City, lined with palm trees on its center island. Many government and commercial buildings line the road. At its north end, the Triangle Park, one of Quezon City's Central Business District, is the third most important industrial center in the city. At its south end, it connects Quezon City to the Philippine's capital – Manila connecting with Eulogio Rodriguez Sr. Avenue. It is a regular route for vehicles from Quezon City leading to Manila, as the highway provide access to the Quiapo district of Manila and the University Belt.
History
The road, much like Commonwealth Avenue, was built as part of the road building projects of Ferdinand Marcos. It was named Don Mariano Marcos Avenue to honor Mariano Marcos, the President's father. The road was renamed Quezon Avenue after former president Manuel Quezon following the 1986 People Power Revolution with the ascension of Corazon Aquino as president. It originally starts at EDSA, but the portion between the Elliptical Road and EDSA, which used to be named Commonwealth Avenue extension, became a part of the road. With the passing of the 1987 constitution, Quezon City had four legislative districts. The west of the Quezon Avenue were constituted into the first district and the fourth district situated east of the road.
U-turn slots
In 2003, after the perceived effectiveness in EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue and Marcos Highway, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority implemented the "clearway scheme"; this has prohibited crossings and left turns on the avenue. In lieu of left turns, the MMDA has constructed U-turn slots 100 to 200 meters away from the intersections to allow vehicles to reach their destination.
In 2012, the MMDA instituted motorcycle lanes in the avenue. The lanes are painted blue, and are meant for the exclusive use of motorcycle riders. This comes after the successful use of the "blue lanes" on EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, although the blue lane on EDSA is not exclusive to motorcycles.
There is a planned underground/elevated expressway to be built over Quezon Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue, the R-7 Expressway, a 4-lane tollroad. Construction might begin in 2016–2018. Another proposed structure that may be built along Quezon Avenue is the former MRT-9, or the PNR East-West Line, that will provide railway services and connect it to the currently-under-construction MRT-7.
