NLEX Corporation eyes to address expected holiday traffic with SMSK program

To manage the anticipated increase in traffic volume for the coming Christmas and New Year holidays, the NLEX Corporation is set to implement its “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” motorist assistance program anew.

The tollway operator said that its ramped-up traffic management initiatives will commence from December 23, 2022 up to January 3, 2023 along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

In a statement, the NLEX Corporation said that its traffic management teams will monitor Balintawak, Mindanao, Karuhatan, Valenzuela (Paso de Blas), Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Sta. Rita, Pulilan, San Simon, San Fernando, Clark South, Tarlac, Tipo, and Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) as high volume of vehicles is anticipated in the aforementioned locations.

Further, more than 1,000 patrol crews, traffic marshals, security teams, and toll lane personnel are set to man the NLEX-SCTEX toll gates to assist motorists and ensure efficient traffic flow.

The company will also deploy emergency medical services and incident response teams at strategic areas.

Moreover, construction and lane closures along the mainline road of the NLEX-SCTEX will also be suspended — except for the Candaba Viaduct as well in other areas where safety repairs are necessary.

In addition, the NLEX Corporation will provide free towing to the nearest exit to Class 1 vehicles from December 23, 6 a.m. to December 26, 6 a.m. and from January 1, 2023 6 a.m. to January 3, 2023, 6 a.m.

“As more people are expected to gather and celebrate this festive season, more motorists are also expected to travel. We would like to encourage them to take their trips during non-peak hours and use RFID for faster transactions at the toll plazas," said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager J. Luigi L. Bautista.

“We will continue our efforts to provide safe and convenient journeys,” he added.

The NLEX Corporation is anticipating High traffic volume in the following major toll plazas:

• Balintawak and Mindanao Avenue on December 23 (12 noon to 12 midnight), December 24 (6 a.m. to 12 noon), and December 29 (3 p.m. to 12 midnight)
• Tarlac on December 23 (2 p.m. to 12 midnight), December 24 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.), December 29 (4 p.m. to 12 midnight), and January 2 (12 noon to 10 p.m.)
• Bocaue on December 25 (2 p.m. to 10 p.m.), December 29 (3 p.m. to 12 midnight), January 2 (2 p.m. to 12 midnight), and January 3 (5 a.m. to 10 a.m.)

Furthermore, motorists may check the traffic situation before heading to their destinations through the traffic advisories on NLEX Corporation’s social media accounts @nlexexpressways, and DWRW 95.1 FM for traffic bulletins. For inquiries or other concerns, travelers may call the NLEX-SCTEX hotline at 1-35000.

Cash-paying motorists are also encouraged to shift to RFID to avoid queuing at the cash lanes. Those who have no RFID may have the sticker installed for free and pay the initial load. On the other hand, existing RFID users are advised to ensure that they have enough load, while those having concerns should have their sticker checked at the nearest Easytrip station.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, NLEX Corporation

Also read:

NLEX Corporation reminds motorists to plan trips for upcoming long weekend

NLEX Corp. ready for yuletide surge in traffic volume

MPTC rolls out measures in anticipation of high traffic volume for upcoming All Saints' Day observance