MARILAO, Bulacan—North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) motorists should brace for two-weeks traffic along the northbound lane of the expressway in Marilao town as the company completes the repairs on the damaged bridge in the area in time for the Holy Week exodus to North and Central Luzon provinces.
NLEX Corporation officials said that works on the Marilao Interchange Bridge starts immediately on Thursday, after a thorough assessment on the damages. It has completed the installation of vertical steel support on sections beneath the bridge, which impacted lanes 2 and 3 or the two inner lanes following the incident on Wednesday.
To help reduce congestion in the northbound direction, an additional lane was opened Thursday night, increasing the total number of usable lanes to three.
Furthermore, a zipper lane will be opened in the southbound direction when conditions allow.
“We expect the necessary repairs to be completed within two weeks. Rest assured that we are committed to expediting repairs and restoring normal traffic flow as quickly as possible. While works are ongoing, we have also posted alternative routes on our social media pages to provide motorists with additional options,” NLEX said in a statement.
Patrol and traffic marshals will remain in the area to guide motorists and promptly assist those in need.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to ensure your safety,” the statement further reads.
A Bataan-bound 18-wheeler truck from Metro Manila carrying oxygen tanks hit the Marilao Interchange Bridge along the northbound lanes of the NLEX about noon on Wednesday.
The bridge that was damaged is located 23.3 km northbound or around 11km from Balintawak Toll Plaza, according to NLEx Corp. The traffic build-up began early on Wednesday afternoon, reaching Bocaue and northbound lane in Balintawak.
Police Col. Eulogio Lamqui III, Marilao police chief said Joel Macaraeg was driving a 4.9 meter in height truck which already violated the 4.2 vertical clearance rule of the expressway. The truck was made unnoticed when it sneaked in and traversed the non-truck passage lanes, the Inquirer learned. NLEX Corporation is strictly implementing RA 8794 or the Anti-Overloading Law.
Two of the Marilao Interchange Bridge girders have been severely damaged based on the impact of the truck. NLEX Corp said that at present, the girders have been temporarily supported for safety, but they will need to completely replace them to ensure safety and security of everyone, particularly the motorists.
“We expect the necessary repairs to be completed within two weeks. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure your safety,” the company said in a statement addressing the motorists.
NLEX is committed to expediting repairs and restoring normal traffic flow as quickly as possible.
“During this time, motorists should expect heavy traffic in the area as we work diligently to complete the repairs, prioritizing the safety of all drivers.
The middle lanes in the northbound direction (lanes 2 and 3) will remain temporarily closed. When feasible, a zipper lane will be opened in the southbound direction to help alleviate congestion, NLEX Corp. said.
Motorists motorists from EDSA going Bulacan/ Pampanga, are advised to kindly take Karuhatan Exit /Paso de Blas NB Exit / Meycauayan NB Exit going to MacArthur Highway and re-enter at NLEX Ciudad de Victoria (CDV) Northbound o NLEX Bocaue Interchange Northbound.
For motorists from Bulacan/Pampanga going Manila, kindly exit at Bocaue Southbound Interchange or CDV Southbound, turn right to MacArthur Highway and re-enter at NLEX Meycauayan Southbound.
To manage traffic more effectively, intensified traffic management measures will be implemented during this period. “We have also posted alternative routes on our social media pages to provide motorists with additional options,” it added in its statement.
For advisories and regular traffic updates, our social media pages, NLEX Corporation, and hotline 1-35000 remain accessible 24/7. Additionally, a live feed of the traffic situation in the expressway is available on the NLEX Facebook account.
Exodus in regular 320,000 daily motorists along NLEX; 17,000 daily along NLEX Connector and 80,000 daily along Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) are expected to increase from 10-15 beginning the second week of April for the April 13 Palm Sunday until the end of the Holy Week on April 20-21.
Lamqui told NEWSCORE on Thursday that Macaraeg, who remained at the town’s police detention facility, is charged of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Damage to Property.
