Heavy traffic, road closures seen on parts of NLEX amid flooding

Portions of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) were still flooded Wednesday morning, causing heavy traffic. Some areas were also closed to motorists.

Heavy traffic was still observed along the northbound lane of NLEX in Apalit, Pampanga due to flooding at the San Simon Interchange, according to a report of GMA News’ Gabriel Gonzales on Unang Balita

Several motorists, including truck and delivery drivers, were stranded for hours near the Candaba Viaduct as floodwaters remained high in the San Simon area.

The NLEX portion beyond Santa Rita Exit was opened to motorists shortly after 5 a.m.

However, the northbound entry points at Santa Rita, Balagtas and Pulilan were closed again before 6 a.m.

READ: NLEX ADVISORY: Heavy traffic at Tulaoc (San Simon) southbound; Libtong Exit, Sta. Rita and Pulilan northbound entry closed (Wednesday 6:25 a.m.)

Under the latest NLEX traffic advisory, all vehicles were diverted at the Balagtas Exit and rerouted through the Maharlika Highway toward the Central Luzon Link Expressway.

The diversion caused the traffic queue to stretch toward the Candaba area, with some motorists saying they had been stuck for nearly an hour.

Local residents also took the opportunity to sell snacks and bottled water to motorists stuck in the traffic.

Truck drivers said the prolonged traffic was also affecting their delivery schedules and estimated arrival times.

Many motorists and truck drivers stopped at a roadside stopover in Apalit to eat and use the restroom after being stuck in traffic for nearly two hours.

Traffic management was being implemented depending on vehicle size. Class 1 vehicles were directed to the innermost, while larger vehicles were being allowed to use the rightmost lane, where floodwaters were deeper.

Since the weekend, a monstrous traffic jam affected both the northbound and southbound lanes of NLEX, stretching as far as 10 kilometers because of the flood, particularly in the San Simon area.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the flooding was caused by the volume of water that the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat brought over the weekend.

READ: EXPLAINER: Why NLEX in San Simon got flooded and caused monstrous traffic jam?

—Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News