METRO Pacific Tollways-led NLEX Corporation reiterated its advice for motorists to travel during off-peak hours as it expects a 10 percent increase in traffic volume this coming All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.
“We are encouraging our motorists to plan their trips well and travel during nonpeak times to avoid possible delays caused by the influx of travelers,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager.
The surge of travelers is anticipated starting in the afternoon until the late night of October 28, and November 1 as well as in the early morning to afternoon of October 29, and November 2.
On October 31, high traffic volume is also expected in some areas leading to the Philippine Arena/Ciudad de Victoria (CDV) as the Iglesia ni Cristo is set to hold its Lingap Pamamahayag event from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. NLEX will deploy around 40 personnel to manage traffic flow inside the CDV complex and will ensure that toll lanes in both northbound and southbound directions would be manned to further assist motorists.
Bautista also said that motorists may check the traffic situation before heading to their destinations, highlighting that traffic advisories are regularly being posted on the company’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts @nlexexpressways or call the hotline (02) 1-35000. Motorists may also tune in to DWRW 95.1 FM and UFM 105.5 for traffic bulletins.
To address the increase in traffic volume, the tollway company is also deploying over 1,000 personnel from October 28 to November 2 as it implements its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK) Motorist Assistance Program where motorists can expect additional traffic management measures and enhanced expressway services for a safer and more convenient travel.
Cash-paying motorists are recommended to use the RFID and those with existing RFID should top up and maintain positive balance in their accounts to further experience a hassle-free trip. Motorists may visit the Easytrip website www.easytrip.ph for the complete list of installation sites and reloading options or download the MPT DriveHub mobile application which enables motorists to conveniently manage their RFID accounts, plan their trips, and request for roadside assistance.
For the duration of the SMSK, road works and lane closures along the NLEX-SCTEX mainline will be suspended except for the Candaba Viaduct, SCTEX Dinalupihan and areas where safety repairs will be necessary. Free towing service to the nearest exit will be available for Class 1 from October 28, 6:00 a.m. to November 2, 6:00 a.m.
With the ongoing repair of the Candaba Viaduct, only two lanes at the southbound direction are open for motorists. The rightmost lane is for light vehicles or Class 1 while the leftmost lane is for large trucks or Class 3 vehicles. From November 1, 12:00 midnight to November 2, 12:00 noon, Class 3 will be restricted both in the northbound and southbound directions of the Viaduct due to the limited capacity of the bridge as NLEX expects high traffic volume during the said period.
Additionally, all Customer Service Centers will be open on October 28, 29, 31, November 2 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on November 1 from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to provide services and address motorists’ concerns.
