Undas expressway surge to hit over 750,000 a day

CITY OF MALOLOS—Expressway managers advised motorists to plan their Undas travel as they project vehicles to reach more than 750,000 each day across major superhighways bound for different destinations in Northern, Central, and Southern Luzon.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) projects an average vehicular increase of 12 percent during the peak travel days of October 30 and 31, compared to the minimal 3-5 percent increase in overall traffic volume at all its superhighways – the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), NLEX Connector, the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), and the Cavite Laguna Expressway (CALAX). 

Because of the anticipated surge, MPTC is implementing its “Biyaheng Arangkada” program starting on October 29 to November 3 to support traffic management, road safety, and motorists’ travel needs during the peak holiday period, the company said on Tuesday.

READ: NLEx braces for rise in traffic volume during ‘Undas’

The average daily volume of 342,000 vehicles at NLEX, 78,000 at SCTEX, 22,000 at the NLEX Connector, 163,000 at CAVITEX Segment 1-4, 31,000 at the CAVITEX C-5 Link, and 50,000 at CALAX totals 686,000 cars, buses, and trucks. 

The number of motorists is expected to climb to more than 734,000, a five percent increase, and further to 768,320 motorists at the peak 12 percent rise.

According to MPTC, Biyaheng Arangkada is being implemented in SCTEX in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and on CAVITEX in partnership with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) through thd PEA Tollway Corporation (PEATC).

At NLEX and SCTEX, outbound traffic is expected to peak from Friday afternoon (October 30) through Saturday afternoon (October 31), while return traffic is expected from late afternoon on November 2 through the early morning of November 3. 

CAVITEX and CALAX are expected to experience high traffic volumes on the afternoon of October 30 and the morning of November 3.

With the anticipated traffic surge, MPTC will mobilize 2,000 personnel to manage traffic, toll, security, incident response, and technology, and provide round-the-clock support personnel across its expressways. Traffic operations teams will work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the local governments traversed by the motorways, and other government agencies throughout the period.

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations will be available at select NLEX Rest and Refuel Stations, free Wi-Fi at select NLEX Rest and Refuel Stations, in partnership with Smart, and free bottled water at roadside assistance stations, courtesy of Maynilad.

Roadworks, lane closures, and maintenance activities will be suspended from October 29 to November 3, except for emergency safety repairs. Traffic teams and marshals will monitor conditions and implement measures as needed.

READ: LTO to deploy over 100 personnel for Undas

NLEX Connector offers an alternative route between western Metro Manila and destinations in Northern and Central Luzon, while access from Mindanao Avenue provides another connection to the NLEX mainline for motorists from eastern Metro Manila. 

In the south, CAVITEX C5 Link connects C5 Road in Taguig to CAVITEX, giving access to Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Kawit cities. CALAX connects Cavite and Laguna, with its operational stretch running from Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna, to Governor’s Drive in the City of General Trias in Cavite.

MPTC continues to expand its expressway network. The upcoming opening of NLEX-C5 Northlink Segment 8.2 Section 1A, connecting NLEX Mindanao Toll Plaza to Quirino Highway, will provide an additional access route to NLEX, with onward connections via NLEX Connector toward Manila and via NLEX and SCTEX to destinations across Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

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In the south, the full alignment of Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) is nearing completion, while the planned opening of the CAVITEX-CALAX Link (CCLink) will directly connect CAVITEX and CALAX. Together, these projects are expected to boost regional mobility and provide motorists with more route options./coa