NLEX sets pavement works

The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) announced yesterday that certain portions of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) would undergo pavement enhancement works starting tomorrow in line with the company’s continuing preventive maintenance program.

Covered by the maintenance works to be implemented from April 14 to June 4 are the northbound Lanes 1 and 2 between Barangay Camachile in Quezon City and Barangay Burol in Bocaue, Bulacan; southbound lanes 1 and 2 between Sta. Rita and Balintawak; northbound at lanes 3 and 4/shoulder between Balintawak and Tabang; northbound between Meycauayan to Marilao lane 3; northbound between Marilao to Burol lanes 3 and 4/shoulder; northbound between Angeles to Dau lane 2; and southbound between Angeles to Balintawak lanes 1 and 2. As a traffic mitigating measure, the affected lanes would be closed to traffic alternately, even as workers tackle 400 meters of pavement out of every two-kilometer stretch per day.

MNTC senior vice president Luigi Bautista stressed that the pavement enhancement works are necessary to “maintain the high quality of the NLEX and to continue improving customer service for the optimum convenience of both motorists and passengers alike.”

The MNTC also gave assurances that despite the maintenance works, vehicle flow would remain at normal levels through proper traffic management, deployment of enough number of enforcers, setting up of concrete barriers and plastic cones, as well as installation of appropriate warning and road signage at the repair site.

As a policy, maintenance works are undertaken to repair pavement cracks due to usual wear-and-tear and exposure to the elements, especially rains that water down the asphalt overlay.

The MNTC always takes a proactive approach to such repair needs, to make sure they do not get worse and to prolong the life span of the roadway.

“More importantly, NLEX users can continue to enjoy a smooth and safe travel,” said Bautista. 

Sometimes during regular inspection, NLEX field men would notice cracks on the pavement. In adherence to maintenance philosophy, these cracks are subsequently evaluated for possible corrective and preventive measures that preserve and enhance the integrity of the structures.

The 84-km world-class expressway, connecting Balintawak in Caloocan City and Mabalacat, Pampanga boasts of high quality pavement, fully computerized toll operations and modern traffic management systems. Emergency response teams are also on call 24 hours a day.