NLEX Waives Toll Fees on Flooded Route to Ease Traffic Congestion

MANILA, Philippines — Toll fees are waived for all vehicles traveling between Pulilan, Bulacan and San Fernando, Pampanga, via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) starting Wednesday, September 2. The fee waiver aims to alleviate the heavy traffic congestion on the NLEX that began last Friday, August 29, due to massive flooding at the Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga. Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez personally coordinated with NLEX Corp. President Luis Reñon for the waiver, according to a press release from the agency. Normally, toll fees for the Pulilan to San Fernando route cost P113 for Class 1 vehicles, P281 for Class 2, and P338 for Class 3. The transport agency stated that the free toll implementation will continue until NLEX resumes normal operations. Earlier, the DOTr and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) had also urged NLEX Corp. to consider reimbursing toll fees for Class 1 vehicles forced to make U-turns to avoid the flood. Parts of NLEX began to become impassable on August 29 as roads were submerged in floodwaters caused by intense rainfall. Several motorists were stranded, with some claiming on social media that they were stuck in traffic for almost the entire day. The Tulaoc Bridge in San Simon, Pampanga, was submerged after the Pampanga River overflowed. Water buildup was still present as of press time. As of 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, NLEX Corp. provided the following road and traffic conditions along the expressway: Northbound: Southbound: Motorists going south from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) are advised to reroute on the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) going to McArthur Highway. Notice to explain: Meanwhile, in a letter dated August 31, the DOTr and Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) have also ordered NLEX Corp. to explain the flooding and the traffic gridlock on the expressway. The agencies demanded that NLEX Corp. submit its explanation and proposed technical solutions within three days.