MABALACAT CITY -- The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has prepared a special motorist-assistance program to ensure a safe travel of motorists at the North Luzon Expressway, (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) during Holy Week.
MPTC President Rodrigo Franco said a big volume of traffic, including the non-regular motorists, are expected at the three expressways during the holidays.
“We at the Metro Pacific Tollways had designed a special motorist assistance program. NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, all of these are always ready for contingency but every Holy Week special preparations are necessary because apart from the high volume that we expect during this season we also see a lot of non-regular motorists who are not familiar with the regulations, safety and convenience features of the expressway s. We want to make sure that all the motorists will be accorded adequate information and support in case of emergencies,” Franco stated.
This year’s Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko (SMSK) motorist assistance program is special because of several infrastructure projects including the full integration of NLEx and SCTEx, according to Franco.
With the completion of the NLEx-SCTEx integration, the “horrendous” traffic congestions at the areas of Mabiga and Dau in Mabalacat City at the TIPO interchange in Olongapo and Talac City had been eliminated, he said.
“The long traffic stops in Dau and Mabalacat are now a thing of the past,” Franco added.
Motorists are going to enjoy this year the benefit of the new expansion of the road lanes at the Bocaue area. “We tested the new system in December last year during the Christmas season and we did not experience any problems in Bocaue, this is for motorists coming back to Manila.”
“So in time for the Holy Week, if the Bocaue expanded pavement lanes are now fully opened and that would service the requirement of the motorists,” Franco said.
Glenn Campos, MPTC assistant vice president for technology and operations management, said there will be 24/7 traffic monitoring by the Traffic Control Rooms.
Campos bared other traffic operation plans including additional patrol crew and toll tellers, additional traffic information signs, speed operations at strategic locations, lane management teams at strategic points, and others.
The tollways management will suspend all ongoing road works and maintenance from April 7 to 17 in anticipation of the big volume of motorists during the Holy Week, according to Campos.
He said that the MPTC has coordinated with various local government units for the establishment of additional motorist camps and emergency medical centers in strategic points along the expressways.