MEYCAUAYAN CITY, Bulacan (PIA) — The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will implement its 9-point ‘Semana Santa’ travel measures to ensure seamless travel in various expressways during the long weekend.
TRB Executive Director Atty. Alvin Carullo assured that all toll lanes will be open and will also implement counterflow at identified congested areas, if necessary.
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation President Luigi Bautista said they are on full alert up to April 1, 2024 to manage the anticipated 10 percent increase in traffic volume during the Holy Week.
There will be free towing service to the nearest exit for Class 1 vehicles, including along the NLEX Connector Road, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which will be available from March 27 at 6:00 in the morning to March 29 at 6:00 in the morning; and from March 30 to April 1 during the same window period.
There will also be motorists assistance stations at toll service facilities to aid motorists in distress.
TRB also advised toll operators and concessionaires to sustain the posting of traffic updates through its social media and traditional media platforms.
All roadworks and other infrastructure activities along all the expressways are also suspended up to April 1.
Meanwhile, NLEX Corporation has initiated various decongestion projects such as the SCTEX ramp from Tarlac to NLEX in Mabalacat, Pampanga. An additional lane for incoming vehicles from SCTEX going to NLEX has already been completed.
It will also deploy additional personnel in high-volume area expressways including the rest and refuel stations; and will deploy incident response teams, tow trucks, and fire trucks in strategic areas.
TRB also assured that all closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) along the expressways are functional to ensure round-the-clock monitoring backed with radio communication.
It also partnered with local government units to identify alternative routes and help ensure the smooth flow of traffic at entries and exits of the expressway.
In Meycauayan City, the new F. Raymundo Northbound Exit in Barangay Pandayan serves as an alternate route for class 1 vehicles going to the eastern portions of Meycauayan and Marilao.
The additional lane at Meycauayan main exit northbound ramp is now being used as the new dedicated lane for Malhacan-bound vehicles; while the leftmost and middle lanes are assigned for those going to the barangays of Iba and Camalig. It provides additional space for the high volume of trucks going to the industrial areas.
Bautista urged motorists going back to Metro Manila to utilize the newly constructed NLEX Harbor Link and the NLEX Connector Road which now has an exit in España and Magsaysay Blvd. in Manila to help them to reach the western side of Metro Manila faster without passing the congested cloverleaf in Balintawak in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the TRB Digital Media Office and Public Assistance has set up TRB Hotline 0962 055 1521. Post-traffic conditions were shared by TRB Road Safety Team deployed on-site to the TRB social media accounts.
Real-time traffic conditions along the expressways are also closely monitored by the traffic control centers of the toll operators. (MJSC/SFV-PIA 3)
