GOVERNOR Dennis Pineda had asked the representatives of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Corporation to implement the status quo on the 33-ton weight limit the latter plans to impose as it repairs of the Southbound portion of the Candaba Viaduct.
This, as Pineda met with NLEx representatives, local stakeholders, and local agencies regarding the rerouting of large vehicles which will be affected by the ongoing repairs.
The governor wants the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation to be involved in determining the appropriate weight limit.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry should be involved in setting the prices of commodities resulting from the longer routes and additional cost of fuel. This came after the NLEx Corp. issued an advisory effective July 11 rerouting trucks with 12 or more wheels and gross vehicle weight (GVW) greater than 33 tons due to the said Candaba Viaduct Southbound Upgrade.
“Bigyan po muna nila ng linaw, hindi po puwedeng walang papasukin na truck sa NLEx, especially trailers, tapos padadaanin nila sa maliliit na daan sa probinsya, it will cause problem sa economy po. Kung magpapatupad po ng kung ano ang dapat na timbang, mas mabuti kung ang mismong national government ang mag- anunsyo para alam ng lahat na tataas ang presyo ng goods,” said the governor.
He furthered that the corporation should also impose the 33 tons limit of the GVW in the whole stretch of NLEx, not only along the Candaba Viaduct.
JJ Go, vice president of the NLEx Corp. Asset Management Division, stressed that many motorists would be affected if the Candaba Viaduct connecting Bulacan to Pampanga, and Pampanga to Bulacan and National Capital Region (NCR) is not protected.
“Lahat ng pasok from zero to 33 tons, puwedeng-puwede naman pong dumaan at kakayanin naman ng Southbound. Except kapag excessive na or beyond 33 tons, doon lang po tayo magda-divert para maiwasan ang pagkagiba ng daan at masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga motorista,” she said.
She added the corporation should immediately implement the imposition of the weight limit of vehicles traversing along the viaduct to be able to complete the repair within two years.
Initially, the corporation provided two alternative routes for heavy trucks that do not meet the guidelines.
Trucks traveling from the cities of Angeles and San Fernando shall take the Olongapo-Gapan Road, which passes through Mexico, Sta Ana, Arayat, Cabiao, San Isidro, and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. They shall turn right out of Gapan onto the Maharlika Highway, passing through San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael. They shall then turn left onto Plaridel Bypass Road and enter NLEx at the Balagtas Interchange.
Trucks from Mabalacat City, on the other hand, shall use the Mabalacat-Magalang Road. They shall turn right out of Magalang onto the Magalang-Arayat Road. They shall take the Olongapo-Gapan Road from Arayat to Cabiao, San Isidro, and Gapan. They shall turn right out of Gapan onto the Maharlika Highway, passing through San Miguel, San Ildefonso, and San Rafael. They shall then turn left onto Plaridel Bypass Road.
It was also disclosed during the meeting that the NLEx Corp. is set to construct a third viaduct in between the Northbound and Southbound portions of the Candaba Viaduct, expected to be completed in 2024.
Rene Romero, the private sector representative in the Regional Development Council (RDC), recommended the construction of a third road below the viaduct. Haulers urged the strict implementation of the anti-overloading law.