Holiday traffic on NLEX, SCTEX seen up 15%

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – The holiday exodus to northern provinces is expected to swell northbound traffic along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) by 15 to 20 percent up to Friday afternoon.

On the other hand, southbound traffic along the two expressways is also seen to peak that much on Jan. 2 and 3 when vacationeers and students head back to Metro Manila.

“Traffic along NLEX and SCTEX is now becoming heavier as Christmas Day draws nearer,” said Kiko Dagonoy, media specialist of the Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) which operates the two expressways.

Dagonoy said they are expecting traffic to build up until the afternoon of Dec. 24.

But he assured motorists that the TMC has fielded enough manpower to help them and ensure smooth traffic flow. 

“Ambulant tellers will be deployed at the Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue and Dau toll plazas to facilitate lane transactions. Spare lanes will also be used to shorten queue of vehicles during peak periods,” he said.

“The Bocaue toll plaza will also have ambulant tellers on Jan. 2 and 3 in anticipation of the heavy volume of vehicles going back to Manila on these dates,” he added.

To keep the road safe and traffic to flow smoothly, the NLEX traffic operations department will deploy 10 patrol vehicles at any given time, “but will be stationary in strategic areas to deter unsafe driving of some motorists, except when patrol personnel are (available for) intervention,” Dagonoy said.

Motorcycle riders and roving patrol vehicles will also be ready to assist in the interchanges in case of traffic build-up, he added.

The same level of service can be expected along the SCTEX, with traffic and toll operations personnel deployed to ensure fast and smooth travel of motorists going to Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan and Subic Bay, Dagonoy said.

He also advised motorists to contact the TMC for assistance or inquiries: (02) 580-8910 for NLEX, and 0920-9672839 for SCTEX.