NLEX starts Candaba Viaduct upgrade
Published Aug 15, 2020 06:00 pm
The upgrading of the NLEX Candaba Viaduct, the decades-old elevated highway connecting Pulilan, Bulacan and Apalit, Pampanga, started on Thursday (Aug. 13) and will be finished December.
Photo credit: https://nlex.com.ph
The viaduct consists of two 5-km.-long independent bridges.
However, recent engineering studies found that aside from the usual wear and tear over the years, the constant traffic of overloaded trucks permanently damaged a number of the viaduct link's slabs.
NLEX Corporation's current major rehabilitation of the viaduct along the Manila-bound carriageway was the first of a series of upgrades to improve its road safety and address long-term serviceability.
The company expects traffic congestion and queues during peak hours as some Manila-bound lanes will be constricted during the replacement of concrete link slabs along various sections of the Viaduct.
These concrete components that typically connect two bridge deck spans will be replaced to restore motorist driving comfort.
“The Candaba Viaduct has served the Metro Manila, and Central and North Luzon road corridor for many years. We enjoin public support and understanding for the travel delays that may be caused by the upgrading," according to NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
The works will require Manila-bound motorists to slow down and use a temporary 31-meter fabricated steel Bailey bridge that will be installed socars, vans, small trucks, and buses to cross over the link slab construction site.
Cargo trucks will be rerouted to the counterflow lane at the northbound carriageway.
The installation and dismantling of the Bailey bridge would require lane closures at certain times.
To improve safety while construction is underway, NLEX will temporarily reroute heavy 12-wheeler dump trucks from areas north of the viaduct to MacArthur Highway.
These 12-wheelers may re-enter NLEX southbound via Pulilan, Sta. Rita or Tabang.
In line with this, Bulacan mayors assure to help manage the traffic on their local roads.
The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) backed the project to revive the region’s economy while ensuring public safety.
“To preserve the vital function of the Viaduct as a critical link between the National Capital Region and the North and Central Luzon areas, upgrading and rehabilitation works are needed," stressed PamCham President Renato Romero.
Hence, "We support transport infrastructure programs ensuring the safe, unhampered, and on-time delivery of critical goods and services nationwide.”
“The Pampanga provincial government supports the Candaba Viaduct upgrade because this will bring greater development to us," confirmed Governor Dennis Pineda.
Apalit, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. shared the same view while Pulilan, Bulacan Mayor Maritz Ochoa-Montejo underscored the importance of upgrading the bridge.
“Together with our traffic management team and in coordination with nearby localities, we'll exert our best effort to ease traffic flow," pledged Malolos City Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian.
Both the Local Governments and private businesses in the region supported the project.
To ensure smooth traffic within the repair site, NLEX Corporation will deploy patrol crews and traffic
marshals and minimize traffic slowdowns.
Directional traffic signs will also be placed at strategic locations to better guide the public.
Traffic updates will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.
Photo credit: https://nlex.com.ph
The viaduct consists of two 5-km.-long independent bridges.
However, recent engineering studies found that aside from the usual wear and tear over the years, the constant traffic of overloaded trucks permanently damaged a number of the viaduct link's slabs.
NLEX Corporation's current major rehabilitation of the viaduct along the Manila-bound carriageway was the first of a series of upgrades to improve its road safety and address long-term serviceability.
The company expects traffic congestion and queues during peak hours as some Manila-bound lanes will be constricted during the replacement of concrete link slabs along various sections of the Viaduct.
These concrete components that typically connect two bridge deck spans will be replaced to restore motorist driving comfort.
“The Candaba Viaduct has served the Metro Manila, and Central and North Luzon road corridor for many years. We enjoin public support and understanding for the travel delays that may be caused by the upgrading," according to NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
The works will require Manila-bound motorists to slow down and use a temporary 31-meter fabricated steel Bailey bridge that will be installed socars, vans, small trucks, and buses to cross over the link slab construction site.
Cargo trucks will be rerouted to the counterflow lane at the northbound carriageway.
The installation and dismantling of the Bailey bridge would require lane closures at certain times.
To improve safety while construction is underway, NLEX will temporarily reroute heavy 12-wheeler dump trucks from areas north of the viaduct to MacArthur Highway.
These 12-wheelers may re-enter NLEX southbound via Pulilan, Sta. Rita or Tabang.
In line with this, Bulacan mayors assure to help manage the traffic on their local roads.
The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PamCham) backed the project to revive the region’s economy while ensuring public safety.
“To preserve the vital function of the Viaduct as a critical link between the National Capital Region and the North and Central Luzon areas, upgrading and rehabilitation works are needed," stressed PamCham President Renato Romero.
Hence, "We support transport infrastructure programs ensuring the safe, unhampered, and on-time delivery of critical goods and services nationwide.”
“The Pampanga provincial government supports the Candaba Viaduct upgrade because this will bring greater development to us," confirmed Governor Dennis Pineda.
Apalit, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr. shared the same view while Pulilan, Bulacan Mayor Maritz Ochoa-Montejo underscored the importance of upgrading the bridge.
“Together with our traffic management team and in coordination with nearby localities, we'll exert our best effort to ease traffic flow," pledged Malolos City Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian.
Both the Local Governments and private businesses in the region supported the project.
To ensure smooth traffic within the repair site, NLEX Corporation will deploy patrol crews and traffic
marshals and minimize traffic slowdowns.
Directional traffic signs will also be placed at strategic locations to better guide the public.
Traffic updates will be posted on electronic variable message signs and announced via social media accounts.