SAN SIMON Pampanga Fourth District Anna York Bondoc said additional 10,000 vehicles may pass through the McArthur Highway or Manila North Road (MNR) here and in nearby Apalit town due to the closure of two of the major routes going to Metro Manila.
Bondoc issued the statement as she renewed her call for the government to create more alternate routes from and to South Luzon.
Bondoc said at least 5,000 heavy trucks are expected to utilize the national highway in the province after they were banned from passing through the 50-year old Candaba Viaduct along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).
NLEx implemented the 33 ton weight limit on trucks as it undertakes an urgent repair of the viaduct's south-bound lane.
Bondoc said the closure of the San Miguel bridge along the San Simon-Baliuag road in San Simon town will allow the rerouting of around 5,000 vehicles to the McArthur Highway.
The said bridge connects San Simon town to Baliuag, Bulacan which has access to Maharlika Highway going to Metro Manila.
The San Miguel bridge is scheduled to be closed to traffic for upgrading and rehabilitation.
“Two of our major roads going to Metro Manila are now closed especially to trucks carrying essential goods so nawawalan na ng ibang choice ang mga motorista natin kundi dumaan sa McArthur Highway,” Bondoc said.
The lawmaker expressed concern over the current condition of the McArthur Highway.
She said the major thoroughfare is “severely battered and deteriorated” and may poses hazard to motorists.
“Talagang durug-durog po ang McArthur Highway. Napakalaki ng mga butas kaya kawawa ang mga dumadaan, maliit o malaki man ang sasakyan,” she stressed.
She also raised alarm over the possible health risk that the additional volume of cars may cause to residents and businesses along the area.
“Imagine, additional na 10,000 na sasakyan ang dadaan sa amin sa fourth district. At least 5,000 mga iyon ay trucks so grabe ang usok na malalanghap namin dito,” Bondoc said.