SMC Tollways braces for heavier traffic during Holy Week

SMC Tollways expects the influx of more vehicles during the upcoming Holy Week break.

The tollways unit of San Miguel Corp. operates the Tarlac Pangasinan La Union Expressway (TPLEX), Metro Manila Skyway, NAIA Expressway (NAIAx), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the company said in a statement.

It said contingency plans are in place ahead of an expected surge in vehicle traffic from Metro Manila.

“These include implementation of enhanced traffic management measures and setting up of motorist assistance stations in strategic locations along its tollroads to aid motorists and provide safe and hassle-free travel,” it said.

It expects traffic volume along its tollways to increase by 10 percent.

SMC Tollways will mobilize all operations staff, additional toll collectors, ambulant tellers and traffic management personnel during the busy week.

The company partnered with affiliate Petron Corp. to put up free mechanic troubleshooting services and vehicle check-ups in the following areas:

• TPLEX at Petron KM 134 northbound and southbound and at the TPLEX Toll Operations Compound northbound

• Skyway at C5 and Merville southbound, Sucat

• Lay-by northbound

• SLEX at Binan Lay-by southbound and SLEX Operations Control Center northbound

• STAR at Petron Malvar southbound and Malainin Lay-by KM 92 southbound, Petron Lipa northbound, and Lapu-Lapu Lay-by KM 90 northbound

The company said heavy volume is also expected in the following areas:

• TPLEX northbound on March 28, 29, to 31 at Tarlac Central Toll Plaza, Urdaneta Toll Plaza, Urdaneta-MacArthur T-intersection, Binalonan Toll Plaza, and Pozorrubio Toll Plaza

• TPLEX southbound on April 1 to 2 at the  Tarlac Central Toll Plaza, Urdaneta Toll Plaza, Urdaneta-MacArthur T-intersection, Binalonan Toll Plaza, and Pozorrubio Toll Plaza

• Skyway southbound on March 28, 29, 31 at  C5-Alabang At-Grade

• Skyway northbound on April 1 to 2 at Alabang Viaduct to Skyway Toll Plaza B and Runway Toll Plaza

• NAIAX westbound on March 28 to 29 at NAIAX Main Toll Plaza B

• NAIAX westbound on April 1 to 2 at NAIAX Main Toll Plaza A

• SLEX southbound on March 28, 29, 31 at Calamba Toll Plaza, Carmona, Mamplasan Sta. Rosa, Eton-ABI exits and Ayala Toll Plaza

• SLEX northbound on April 1 to 2 at Calamba Toll Plaza, Carmona exits, Filinvest, Alabang Viaduct, and Ayala Toll Plaza

• STAR Tollway southbound on March 28, 29 and 31 at Sto. Tomas Toll Plaza, Lipa Toll Plaza, Ibaan, Balagtas Toll Plaza exit, and Batangas roundabout

• STAR Tollway northbound on April 1-2 at Toll Plazas in Sto. Tomas, Balagtas, and Lipa

Temporary toll collection booths will be installed to speed up transaction time at toll plazas and all road works will be suspended, SMC Tollways said. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News