Safe travel on NLEX, SCTEX vowed during holidays

MALOLOS CITY – The Tollways Management Corp. gears up for the expected increase in traffic volume in the North Luzon Expressway during the long holiday season to ensure that travel is on time, safe, secure and comfortable.

Betty Jose of the corporate communications office of the TMC said that they expect traffic volume along the NLEX to increase by 15 percent or from 120,000 to 140,000 vehicles per day starting Dec. 24.

TMC is the operator of the NLEX, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX).

“Our medical teams, emergency response teams and even ambulant tellers are ready for the holiday rush,” Jose told The STAR in an interview. She said that TMC is fielding additional 15-20 ambulant tellers at the Balintawak Toll Plaza to avoid toll booth queuing.

If traffic build-up occurs at the Dau Toll Plaza, Jose said, ambulant tellers will also be added to speed up traffic movement.

In SCTEX, she said they will open the shoulder and two counterflows to accommodate more motorists in processing toll fee transactions. Jose also assured motorists during the long holidays that there will be no repair works on the pavement or on bridges in NLEX.

Due to expected traffic build up in selected locations, the TMC reminded motorists of the electronic Variable Message Signs located in the entry points of the NLEX, and suggested alternative routes.

For alternative routes, motorists can take San Fernando, Mexico and Angeles exits if going north to avoid the traffic congestion at the Dau Toll Plaza.

Motorists can also take the NLEX Mabalacat Interchange and proceed to the Tarlac City Interchange to go to the Northern provinces such as Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Baguio, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, as well as Zambales.

In cases of accidents, Jose said that TMC towing services are ready 24-hours a day, along with emergency response teams and emergency medical teams.