San Miguel Infrastructure sees 10% traffic increase along expressways during Undas

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Infrastructure on Tuesday said it is gearing for a 10% increase in vehicle traffic across its expressways during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day holiday period.

In a news release, SMC Infrastructure said it is deploying additional personnel, emergency response teams, and traffic management measures in place to handle the expected surge across South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), Skyway System, STAR Tollway, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX).

The company added it is coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and local governments to manage congestion, particularly on roads connecting to expressway entry and exit points.

SMC Infrastructure said full staffing will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 29 under the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Oplan Biyaheng Ayos.

Quick-response teams, ambulances, tow trucks, and fire engines will be deployed at strategic locations along its toll roads.

Traffic monitoring centers will operate around the clock, while roadworks will be suspended from noon of October 29 until 10 p.m. on November 3 to minimize disruptions during peak travel periods, according to SMC Infrastructure.

Moreover, it said emergency assistance desks will also operate 24 hours a day at Petron service stations.

SMC Infrastructure advised motorists to plan their trips ahead and allow additional travel time, particularly when passing through areas where expressways connect tocongested local roads.

The company also reminded motorists to check their vehicles before departure, including tires, brakes, batteries, lights, and cooling systems, and to get adequate rest before long trips.

Mechanical problems, including overheating engines, flat tires, and dead batteries, can cause breakdowns that contribute to congestion during peak travel periods, it said.

Motorists are also advised to ensure their Autosweep RFID accounts have sufficient load before traveling to avoid delays at toll plazas.

Those who wish to use a single RFID account across Luzon’s expressways may enroll in the optional One RFID program, according to SMC Infrastructure. —VAL, GMA News