QUEZON CITY -- Several road improvement projects in Pampanga are part of the P3.7-billion worth of enhancement program of the country’s leading investment holding company engaged in the tollways business activities, an official said.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Corporation President and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco said the amount involves both completed and ongoing expansion of roads and toll plazas, construction of new exits, improvement of interchanges, and usage of latest technology.
Franco himself made the announcement during the press conference for the “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK) on October 24.
The program enhancement is intended to boost the service capacity of the leading of expressways in the North and South Luzon, thus support to the government’s decongestion efforts, Franco said.
At the NLEx, a new 64-kilometer lane between Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan and Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City was fully opened this year to improve travel convenience, ensure safety of motorists, and promote growth of local businesses in the Central Luzon region, according to Franco.
Another enhancement project in Pampanga is the City of San Fernando Interchange, which is also up for enhancement, as two new bridges are being constructed to be used as separate carriageways to decongest traffic in the province’s capital.
The construction of a right-turning ramp to Mabalacat-Magalang Road is underway to make Sta. Ines a full interchange, the NLEx Corporation executive said.
Meanwhile, Franco said the new Mabiga Interchange on the SCTEX will soon serve as a full diamond interchange by eliminating the U-turn slot from Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) to MacArthur Highway. New on-and- off ramps with entry will be constructed for faster and safer travel. The project will be completed early December 2017.
The company has also undertaken its speed management to the next level with the use of Speed System CCTV at the NLEx-SCTEx to enhance traffic safety and control. Unlike the speed gun, the Speed System CCTV performs automatic speed profiling, plate number identification, and photo printing.
“Providing motorists with a travel experience that keeps getting better has always been a top priority of MPTC,” Franco noted. “Rest assured that these innovative projects will make travel along our expressways an even more delightful experience.”
“It’s the time of the year again when our kababayans will be going to the provinces and embark on a travel exodus to celebrate Undas 2017,” said Franco.
MPTC also bared its plans ahead of the country's observance of All Saints' day and All Souls' Day next week. In anticipation of heavier traffic volume on Luzon's expressways, MPTC will be implementing its "Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko" (SMSK) motorist assistance program over the Undas holidays.
The MPTC is the holding company of the NLEx, SCTEx and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEx).
Franco said they are expecting a 10 percent to 30 percent increase in vehicle traffic at NLEx, which normally sees more than 230,000 vehicles per day.
"On an average, mga 10 percent lang' yan pero on peak days, nagkakaroon ng surge yan ng mga 10 to 30 percent during those times," he said.
From October 27 to November 6, NLEx-SCTEx personnel will deploy additional patrol and incident response teams who will assist the motorists.
Franco said traffic personnel will also extend their working hours in order to "closely monitor and manage the expected heavy volume of vehicles in Balintawak, Mindanao Avenue, Bocaue, Sta. Ines, Tarlac, and Tipo toll plazas."
The Balintawak Toll Plaza will open 24 toll collection points during the peak hours of October 27 to 28, October 30 to 31 and November 1.
The Mindanao Avenue toll plaza will open 10 collection points while 16 collection points will be designated for Tarlac toll plaza.
Portabooths and portable toll collection equipment will also be made available for faster transactions.
Bocaue toll plaza, on the other hand, will have 48 collection points for southbound motorists on November 1 and 2.
Beginning October 27 road works at the NLEx-SCTEx will be suspended and will only resume after the ASEAN Summit on November 16.
SMSK motorists camps that will provide free services such as calls, Wi-Fi, basic mechanic services and first aid treatments will be established at designated locations along NLEx, SCTEx and CAVITEx on October 28 to November 2.
Meanwhile, NLEx senior vice president for Operations and Technology Management Roberto Bontia said that the MPTC has made the "Easytrip" Radio Frequency Identification Project (RFID) payment option available for motorists in NLEx-SCTEx and had it integrated with the existing RFID system in CAVITEx.
RFID stickers are used for payments on expressways to allow more seamless and convenient travel.