CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda is set to bring the issues
besetting the repair of the Southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct along the
North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to the national government.
The governor requested the NLEx Corp. for a status quo on the 33-ton weight
limit and the use of alternate routes.
In Friday’s dialogue with the NLEx Corp., the governor wants the Department of
Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation to be involved
in determining the appropriate weight limit.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry should be involved in setting the
prices of commodities resulting from the longer routes and additional cost of fuel.
This came after the NLEx Corp. issued an advisory effective July 11 rerouting
trucks with 12 or more wheels and gross vehicle weight (GVW) greater than 33
tons due to the said Candaba Viaduct Southbound Upgrade.
“Bigyan po muna nila ng linaw, hindi po puwedeng walang papasukin na truck sa
NLEx, especially trailers, tapos padadaanin nila sa maliliit na daan sa probinsya, it
will cause problem sa economy po. Kung magpapatupad po ng kung ano ang
dapat na timbang, mas mabuti kung ang mismong national government ang mag-
anunsyo para alam ng lahat na tataas ang presyo ng goods,” said the governor.
He furthered that the corporation should also impose the 33 tons limit of the
GVW in the whole stretch of NLEx, not only along the Candaba Viaduct.
JJ Go, vice president of the NLEx Corp. Asset Management Division, stressed that
many motorists would be affected if the Candaba Viaduct connecting Bulacan to
Pampanga, and Pampanga to Bulacan and National Capital Region (NCR) is not
protected.
“Lahat ng pasok from zero to 33 tons, puwedeng-puwede naman pong dumaan at
kakayanin naman ng Southbound. Except kapag excessive na or beyond 33 tons,
do’n lang po tayo magda-divert para maiwasan ang pagkagiba ng daan at
masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista,” she said.
She added the corporation should immediately implement the imposition of the
weight limit of vehicles traversing along the viaduct to be able to complete the
repair within two years.
Initially, the corporation provided two alternative routes for heavy trucks that do
not meet the guidelines.
Trucks traveling from the cities of Angeles and San Fernando shall take the
Olongapo-Gapan Rd., which passes through Mexico, Sta Ana, Arayat, Cabiao, San
Isidro, and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. They shall turn right out of Gapan onto the
Maharlika Highway, passing through San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael.
They shall then turn left onto Plaridel Bypass Rd. and enter NLEx at the Balagtas
Interchange.
Trucks from Mabalacat City, on the other hand, shall use the Mabalacat-Magalang
Rd. They shall turn right out of Magalang onto the Magalang-Arayat Rd. They shall
take the Olongapo-Gapan Rd. from Arayat to Cabiao, San Isidro, and Gapan. They
shall turn right out of Gapan onto the Maharlika Highway, passing through San
Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael. They shall then turn left onto Plaridel
Bypass Rd.
It was also disclosed during the meeting that the NLEx Corp. is set to construct a
third viaduct in between the Northbound and Southbound portions of the
Candaba Viaduct, expected to be completed in 2024.
Rene Romero, private sector representative in the Regional Development Council
(RDC), recommended the construction of a third road below the viaduct.
Haulers urged the strict implementation of the anti-overloading law. –Jasmine
Jaso/Pampanga PIO
