NLEX Corp. eyes San Simon elevation project completion before 2024

NLEX Corporation is targeting to complete the elevation project for the 200-meter portion of San Simon, Pampanga before the end of the year.

The tollway operator revealed its plan in a statement, saying that the project is currently being fast-tracked.

Per NLEX Corporation, the project includes the pavement raising for both the north-and south-bound lanes of the 200-meter segment under the Tulaoc overpass by 0.7 meters, as well as the design for the flood walls with sump pits and sump pumps to manage flood waters.

In addition, the firm will also raise the San Simon ramp pavement and improve its drainage system.

“The goal is to enhance safety, accessibility, and mobility of motorists especially during the rainy season. We aim to complete the project as soon as possible with minimal disruption to the motorists,” NLEX President Luigi Bautista said.

In the aforementioned statement, NLEX Corporation noted that the massive flooding in Central and North Luzon due to heavy rains in the previous weeks affected a hundred-meter portion of NLEX San Simon, causing up to 68-centimeter-deep floods in the area. The volume of vehicles avoiding the floodwaters at the local roads caused heavy traffic in the expressway.

“The problem is the flood level outside the NLEX has overflowed to the lowest area of NLEX in San Simon. We asked the DPWH to raise the Tulaoc overpass so we can also elevate this portion of the expressway,” Bautista explained.

The company also said that during the situation briefing with local government officials of Pampanga, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. backed the raising of the overpass and explained the flooding was caused by the heavy and continuous rains brought about by typhoons Egay and Falcon.

“We are very grateful for the support of the President. His go signal to raise the Tulaoc overpass will definitely help fast track our San Simon road raising project,” Bautista added.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan also made his commitment to raise the Tulaoc overpass by 0.7m as well. Once this is done, NLEX plans to add another 0.3m on the pavement, raising the 200-meter portion of NLEX San Simon by a total of one meter.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation President Rogelio Singson suggested during the aforementioned briefing the building of a water impounding facility in Candaba as a long-term solution to prevent flooding in nearby and low-lying areas of Pampanga.

Further, the NLEX Corporation claimed in a statement that the "safety and convenience of the motorists remain the top priority" as it continuously implements projects to secure their welfare and enhance their travel experience despite any weather conditions.

"NLEX built various flood prevention projects in the past to avoid hindered travel in the expressway. These include several drainage enhancement projects in flood-prone areas in NLEX Harbor Link, Balintawak, Meycauayan, Valenzuela, San Simon, Dau, Porac, Floridablanca, and Tipo; and the installation of sump-pits and pump houses in Balintawak and Valenzuela Interchanges to prevent water buildup in the area. Last year, NLEX completed the road raising of a 640-meter portion of SCTEX in Bataan," it noted.

Photos from NLEX Corporation

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