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NLEx, CAVITEx brace for surge in traffic volume during Holy Week


The volume of motorists plying the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEx) are expected to surge by 10 to 20 percent during the yearly Holy Week exodus.

"Our projection for NLEX is 10 percent [increase] but this can go as high as 15 percent," NLEx Corp. president and general manager Luigi Bautista said during the press conference of the "Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko" (SMSK) motorist assistance program.

"Last year, we have 250,000 average daily entries but there is a particular day, [Holy] Wednesday, when we hit 330,000 vehicles entries. So we're in fact ready to accommodate up to 15 percent," Bautista said.

For his part, CAVITEx Infrastructure Corp. president and general manager Roberto Bontia said that traffic volume in the toll road is usually expected to peak during the Holy Wednesday by 20 percent compared to the daily average of 150,000 to 160,000 vehicles.

"'Yung [Holy] Wednesday traffic,, 'yun 'yung nag-uuwian sila ng probinsya. It is higher by almost 20 percent... probably makaka-expect tayo ng surge mga nasa 170,000 to 175,000 ffor that particular day," Bontia said.

"But for the rest of the Holy Week mas mababa siya sa daily traffic," he added.

In preparation for the surge of travelers during the Holy Week break, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) will be implementing the SMSK program along the NLEx, CAVITEx, and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

MPTC is the holding firm for Metro Pacific Investments Corp.'s (MPIC) interests in the toll roads business.

NLEx Corp. vice president for technology Glenn Campos said around 700 tellers and patrol offices will be deployed at the NLEx and SCTEx to enhance traffic management and collection services.

From April 15 to 22, NLEx and SCTEx traffic management teams will be adopting an extended working hours to closely monitor and manage the expected high volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Ave., Bocaue, Tarlac, San Miguel, and Tipo toll plazas.

Campos said the said toll plazas will increase toll collection points by 50 percent during the peak hours of April 17 to 22. He added that portabooths and portable toll collection equipment will be used to lessen motorists' waiting time at the toll plazas.

During the same period, CAVITex will also deploy more traffic patrol officers and security personnel to manage traffic and assist motorists.

Meanwhile, road works at NLEx, CAVITEx and SCTEx will be suspended starting April 12 until 22 to give way for the Holy Week traffic volume surge.

Campos said MPTC will set up motorists camps, which provide free calls, Wi-Fi, drinking water, basic mechanic services and first aid treatment in designated locations.

A 24-hour towing service will also be provided for Class 1 vehicles from April 17, 6 a.m. to April 22, 6 a.m. — MDM, GMA News

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