Motorist assistance units deployed along SCTEx

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said motorists using the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway this Holy Week can expect reliable and expert road assistance from the Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) should they encounter any trouble along the newly opened toll road.

At the same time, the BCDA said a total of 2,356 vehicles, mostly private cars, did a trial run on the 50.5-kilometer portion of the SCTEx after it was declared open to traffic by President Arroyo the other day.

SCTEx program manager Robert Gervacio said the TMC, the expressway’s interim operator, has deployed patrol vehicles and tellers as well as customer service, management and support staff since the toll road was opened to the public for free by the President under the “Handog ni Pangulong Gloria, Libreng Biyahe sa SCTEx.”

The free Holy Week dry run on the Subic-Clark segment of the SCTEx will last until 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 24, when holiday travelers are expected to return from their four-day vacation. The highway is open only from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Charlie Espanola, TMC’s division head for the SCTEX, said they have deployed emergency medical services and towing crew, as well as roadside repair technicians along the 50.5-kilometer Subic-Clark portion of the toll road that connects Central Luzon’s two most important economic zones.

“More importantly, there is a composite security team deployed along the Subic-Clark segment coming from the BCDA, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Clark Development Corp. to ensure the safety of our motorists,” Espanola said.

The BCDA said it expects considerable holiday traffic along the Subic-Clark segment because the new expressway offers faster, more convenient travel to Subic and Clark.

The SCTEx is directly linked to the North Luzon Expressway via a two-kilometer spur road and interchange just after the northbound Dau exit of the NLEX.

A one-page advisory distributed along the NLEX since Tuesday said Subic-bound motorists can take the spur interchange between the Dau and Sta. Ines exits of the NLEX and then proceed to the SCTEx Clark logistics toll plaza, turning left for Subic. Those bound for Bataan can exit at the SCTEX Dinalupihan interchange via the Roman Highway.

From Subic and Bataan bound for Manila, motorists can enter the SCTEx at the Tipo toll plaza and the Dinalupihan toll plaza, respectively.

They exit at the Clark logistics toll plaza, and then through the spur road connecting to the NLEX.

Likewise, after exiting the Clark logistics toll plaza, motorists can proceed to MacArthur Highway. A directional sign is provided to guide motorists.

Only Class 1 or light vehicles, tourist and chartered buses and motorcycles with engine displacements of 400cc and above are allowed to use the SCTEX during the dry run.

The TMC and BCDA also advised that there are no service areas yet along the SCTEX, and that the nearest stops for rest areas are along the NLEX and inside Subic.

Motorists are encouraged to call the SCTEx hotlines in case they need assistance – (045) 865-2030, (02) 362-9997 and (02) 362-2246.