Clark-Tarlac section of SCTEX remains open

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines  â€“ Despite the collapse of the Pasig-Potrero bridge on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) Tuesday afternoon, the Clark-Tarlac section of the highway remains open, according to its operator.

In an advisory, the Traffic Management Corp. (TMC), a member of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), said motorists going to Subic may take Clark South Exit then the Clark Friendship Manibaug Road going to SCTEX Porac Interchange.

Francisco Dagohoy, TMC public relations specialist, said patrol crews are deployed at Clark South Interchange and Porac Interchange to assist motorists coming from Tarlac and Subic.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said SCTEX’s Clark-Tarlac section remains open and operational for vehicular traffic as it was only the Clark-Porac section of the expressway that was affected.

Signages are also installed and leaflets with maps of alternate routes are being distributed to motorists.

The TMC continues to assist the BCDA in assessing the extent of damage and evaluating the engineering options so as to implement the repair immediately and lessen the resulting inconvenience to the motoring public.

Motorists may use hotlines 0920-96SCTEX or (02) 3-5000 for traffic updates.

The other day, engineer Joshua Bingcang, BCDA project manager for SCTEX, said that they are still assessing the damage to the Pasig-Potrero bridge.

Repair on the bridge will commence as soon as the weather improves, he added.

Lanie Macasaet of the BCDA corporate communication office said the collapse was caused by heavy rainfall.

Rampaging current on the river caused erosion of the embankment, she added.