NLEX braces for holiday traffic jam, suspends road works

MALOLOS, Philippines — The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. has reactivated its motorist assistance program in preparation for the expected increase in traffic starting tomorrow until Jan. 2, 2024.

Under the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” program, the tollway company will deploy more than 1,500 traffic, toll and systems personnel for increased patrol visibility and toll plaza assistance.

Emergency medical services and incident response teams will be fielded and positioned in strategic areas of the expressway.

The customer service hotline 1-35000 and NLEX Corp.’s social media pages @NLEXexpressways will be fully manned to address customer concerns around the clock.

“This is the first Christmas and New Year when Filipinos will be able to celebrate without a state of public health emergency. Please plan your trips well as we expect high traffic volume during these days,” NLEX Corp. president and general manager J. Luigi Bautista said.

A surge in the volume of vehicles is being anticipated at the Balintawak, Mindanao and Tarlac toll plazas beginning at noon tomorrow, until late night on Saturday as well as noon until late night of Dec. 29.

Traffic buildup is also expected in Tarlac on Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1.

In Bocaue, heavy traffic is expected from afternoon until midnight of Dec. 25 and 26, morning of Dec. 27, afternoon to midnight of Dec. 29 and on Jan. 1 until noon of Jan. 2.

Traffic management teams will monitor chokepoint areas.

Motorists have been advised to get their radio frequency identification stickers and ensure that they have sufficient load balance before they travel to avoid inconvenience.

NLEX Corp. said construction and lane closures have been suspended until Jan. 2, 2024 unless emergency safety repairs are necessary.

This is to give motorists additional lanes for the holiday rush.