LIVE UPDATES: Traffic situation at NLEX (September 2, 2026)

Motorists affected by intense traffic on the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) may be entitled to compensation, but a proper investigation would first be needed, Malacañang said Wednesday.

In a press briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro said the government would await the findings of an investigation before determining whether any party should be held responsible for the disruption.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said traffic along the northbound of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) improved to around 45 minutes as floodwaters continued to recede.

In an ambush interview during an inspection in Lubao, Pampanga, Marcos said authorities are still looking for ways to address the more severely flooded southbound lanes in the expressway.

“Northbound is already 45 minutes daw na lang ang naging traffic. Yung southbound na lang ang kailangan natin gawa ng paraan para madaanan na mas mabuti, mabawasan ang tubig,” he said.

Heavy traffic continued along parts of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in San Simon, Pampanga, on Wednesday due to flooding caused by rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

As of 1:20 p.m., NLEX Corporation said traffic along the southbound lanes near the Tulaoc (San Simon) and San Simon Interchange was heavy, with an estimated 5.7-kilometer traffic buildup.

Lane 3 was not passable due to flooding.

Only Lane 1 was open to all types of vehicles, while Lane 2 was limited to Class 2 and 3 vehicles, according to NLEX.

At the San Simon Interchange southbound, the same lane restrictions were in place, with Lane 3 closed due to water buildup.

NLEX advised motorists traveling south from Tarlac via the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to take the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) toward Maharlika Highway instead.

Meanwhile, northbound motorists also faced several traffic restrictions.

The Libtong Exit was temporarily closed, while the Sta. Rita, Balagtas, and Pulilan northbound entries were under regulated traffic.

Along the northbound lanes near Tulaoc (San Simon) and the San Simon Interchange, Lane 3 was not passable due to flooding.

Lanes 1 and 2 remained open, with Lane 2 limited to Class 2 and 3 vehicles.

Traffic in the area was slow-moving, with an estimated 800-meter buildup, NLEX said.

The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation has been ordered to explain the heavy traffic caused by flooding in San Simon, Pampanga, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the DOTr said its Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) issued a Notice to Explain (NTE) to NLEX Corp. dated Aug. 31, requiring the company to respond within three days.

All vehicles traveling between Pulilan, Bulacan and San Fernando, Pampanga can now pass toll-free in both directions, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.

In an update, the DOTr said the measure took effect on Wednesday, September 2.

The government is addressing traffic congestion along NLEX caused by flooding at the Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga.

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.

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.

Motorists were advised to expect heavy traffic and road restrictions along portions of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on Wednesday morning due to flooding caused by heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

According to an NLEX Corporation’s advisory issued as of 6:25 a.m., several areas were affected in both the northbound and southbound directions.

Southbound

Heavy traffic was recorded at Tulaoc (San Simon) and the San Simon Interchange.

In these areas, Lane 3 was not passable due to water buildup, according to NLEX.

However, Lane 1 remained passable to all types of vehicles, while Lane 2 was open only to Class 2 and 3 vehicles.

NLEX reported a heavy traffic buildup of approximately 9.2 kilometers in the area.

Motorists traveling south from the Tarlac portion of Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX) or Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) were advised to take Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) toward Maharlika Highway.

Northbound

Several access points were closed including the Libtong Exit, Sta. Rita northbound entry, and Pulilan northbound.

At Tulaoc (San Simon) and the San Simon Interchange, Lane 3 was not passable due to flooding, according to NLEX.

However, Lane 1 remained open to all vehicle types, while Lane 2 was limited to Class 2 and 3 vehicles.

A 3.2-kilometer traffic buildup was reported in the northbound direction.