NLEX Corporation is ramping up its traffic management measures to meet the surge in traffic volume this coming Christmas and New Year holidays.
From December 23, 2022 to January 3, 2023, the tollway company will enhance its operations along the NLEX-SCTEX as part of its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” motorist assistance program.
Traffic management teams will closely monitor Balintawak, Mindanao, Karuhatan, Valenzuela (Paso de Blas), Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Sta. Rita, Pulilan, San Simon, San Fernando, Clark South, Tarlac, Tipo, and SFEX as high volume of vehicles is anticipated in these areas.
To assist motorists and ensure efficient traffic flow, the NLEX management will field more than 1,000 patrol crews, traffic marshals, security teams, and toll lane personnel.
It will also deploy emergency medical services and incident response teams at strategic areas.
Except for the Candaba Viaduct repairs, construction and lane closures along the mainline road of the NLEX-SCTEX will likewise be suspended unless safety repairs are necessary.
From December 23, 6:00 a.m. to December 26, 6:00 a.m. and from January 1, 2023 6:00 a.m. to January 3, 2023, 6:00 a.m., free towing to the nearest exit will be available to those traveling with Class 1 or light vehicles.
“As more people are expected to gather and celebrate this festive season, more motorists are also expected to travel," says NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.
"We would like to encourage them to take their trips during nonpeak hours and use RFID for faster transactions at the toll plazas," he advised.
High traffic volume is being anticipated in the Balintawak and Mindanao toll plazas on December 23 (12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight), December 24 (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon), and December 29 (3:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight).
In Tarlac, the volume surge is expected on December 23 (2:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight), December 24 (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), December 29 (4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight), and January 2 (12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.)
In Bocaue, it will be on December 25 (2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.), December 29 (3:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight), January 2 (2:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight), and January 3 (5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
Cash-paying motorists should shift to RFID to avoid queuing at the cash lanes. Those who have no RFID may have the sticker installed for free and pay the initial load.
Existing RFID users are advised to ensure that they have enough load, while those having concerns should have their sticker checked at the nearest Easytrip station.