NLEX, SCTEX ready for holiday traffic surge

MANILA: North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation will relaunch its “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” (SMSK) motorist assistance program starting December 22, 2023-January 2, 2024 to ensure smooth and hassle-free travels this Christmas and New Year season.

Over 1,500 traffic, toll, and systems personnel will be deployed within the said dates along NLEX and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) for increased patrol visibility and toll plaza assistance.

Emergency medical services will also be stationed at strategic areas of the expressways.

“This is the first Christmas and New Year where Filipinos will be able to celebrate without a state of public health emergency. Please plan your trips well as we expect high traffic volume during these days,” NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista stated.

The toll road firm is expecting high traffic volume in Balintawak, Mindanao, and Tarlac toll plazas on December 22 around noontime until late in the evening of December 23, as well as on December 29 from noontime until night.

More motorists are also anticipated in Tarlac toll plaza on December 25 and 26, and on January 1.

NLEX Corporation is also expecting traffic surge in Bocaue toll plaza on the early afternoon until midnight of December 25 and 26, morning of December 27, afternoon to midnight of December 29, and noontime of January 1 until late in the morning of January 2.

All lanes along NLEX and SCTEX will be open during the activation of the SMSK program. Construction and lane closures along the mainline road are suspended, unless there is need for emergency safety repairs.

Free towing for Class 1 vehicles up to the nearest exit will also be provided from 6 a.m. of December 22 until 6 a.m. of December 24, from 6 a.m. of December 26 until 6 a.m. of December 27, and from 6 a.m. of December 30 until 6 a.m. of January 2.

NLEX Corporation also reminds motorists to get their Easytrip RFID as all of its toll plazas are still compliant to the Toll Regulatory Board’s dry run for cashless toll collection.

Photos from Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation

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