NLEx prepares for Holy Week
February 09, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is expecting a 19-percent surge in traffic from the average volume of 143,000 motorists who use the expressway daily, NLEx operator Tollways Management Corporation (TMC)said in an advisory Thursday.
TMC warned motorists that traffic build-up in plazas may be experienced during Holy Wednesday on March 19 and Holy Thursday on March 20, particularly in the afternoon, at the Balintawak toll barrier and Easter Sunday on March 23 at the Bocaue toll plaza.
“Traffic may be expected in the lateral national and provincial roads such as those near tourist destinations and resorts. For alternative routes, motorists can take Pulilan Exit if going north bound to Nueva Ecija or Cagayan provinces to avoid the traffic congestion at the Sta. Rita, Bulacan local road,” TMC said.
Bocaue Interchange toll plaza south bound was another alternative route given to avoid traffic congestion in the Bocaue toll barrier for motorists going back to Manila on Easter Sunday.
Motorists were advised to monitor alternative routes to destinations through the electronic Variable Message Signs located in the entry points of the NLEx.
“Balintawak Northbound entry ramp from EDSA will be closed for repair from late evening of Holy Thursday to noon time of Good Friday. NLEX traffic management teams will be deployed to efficiently direct traffic flow and avoid congestion with the expected increase in volume,” TMC said.
The operator said that while resources are sufficient to address the expected increase in traffic volume, it is still taking additional measures to ensure that travel within NLEx is on-time, safe, secure and comfortable.
TMC said motorists will continue to receive the following services:
• PATROL ASSISTANCE: Patrol Vehicles, Motorcycle Patrols, Lane Management Teams, Anti-Overspeeding Teams, Fixed Patrollers and traffic aides at Barriers and Toll Plazas
• TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT TEAMS — in some of the interchanges such as Valenzuela, Meycauyan and Bocaue
• TOWING SERVICES provided by the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP):
Trucks and flatbeds for Class 1 (1 truck with boom)
Lifters and Tow Trucks for Class 2 & 3 vehicles (1 truck with boom).
• EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES from Aeromed Ambulance Transport Inc. Ambulances with paramedics are strategically located at Toll Plazas in Balintawak, Sta. Rita and San Fernando.
• EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS — On standby 24/7 to respond to whatever incidents that may happen at NLEx.
• AMBULANT TELLERS — In the event that lines at the toll lanes get longer, TMC said there will be standby ambulant tellers, toll tellers outside the toll booths, to collect toll fees from class 1 vehicles at Balintawak, San Fernando, and Dau toll plazas (north bound) and Bocaue toll plazas (south bound). Toll cards will be given by ambulant tellers and these cards should be surrendered by motorists upon payment at the toll booths, in exchange for the original toll receipts. TMC said the ambulant tellers help speed up the payment process of toll fees at the Toll Plazas.
• VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS — These electronic message box text displays can be found at entry points, which gave real-time updates on traffic conditions at NLEx.
In emergency cases, motorists are advised to call TMC’s Emergency Hotline (02) 580-8911 and NLEx Hotline (02) 35000. They can also go to the nearest emergency call boxes (ECBs) or Orange Boxes to get help directly from the Traffic Control Room Operators who will evaluate the motorists’ needs so that appropriate assistance may be given. These ECBs are located with: a.) 1 pair every 1 km (north and south bound from Balintawak to Burol); b.) 1 pair every 2 km (north and south bound from Burol to Sta. Ines)
To share more information about driving along the NLEx, TMC has published the “Motorist’s Handbook” (P20 per copy) and its Tagalog version, “Gabay Lakbay” (P10 per copy). The 120-page material aims to provide auto drivers, bus and truck drivers with information that would help acquaint them with basic road safety, emergency tips and NLEx traffic regulations.
The books are available at the NLEx Customer Service Centers in Balintawak North Bound, Valenzuela North Bound, Tabang, Bocaue South Bound, and San Fernando North Bound, Petron and Shell Stations in NLEx as well as in Jollibee Dau, Angeles and Mexico in Pampanga.
The NLExpress Tabloid, published monthly with a circulation of 80,000 copies and distributed free to motorists, can be described as an oversized safety leaflet. It highlights news in and around the NLEx, motoring and safety tips; editorial columns on safety and driver education, human interest articles, and stories on local tourist destinations.
Incorporated on August 2, 2000, TMC is primarily engaged in carrying on the operations and maintenance of toll roads, its facilities, interchanges and all related works. It operates and maintains the North Luzon Expressway.
TMC’s tips to motorists:
• Plan your trip ahead of time
• Check your B.L.O.W.B.A.G. (Brakes, Lights, Oil, Water, Battery, Air or Tire Pressure, Gas)
• Bring a good spare tire, jack and crosswrench
• Bring an early warning device (EWD)
• Check head lights, tail lights and brake lights
• Do not overload your vehicle
• Secure your cargo.
• Public utility vehicles are not allowed to drop off passengers at the bottom of interchanges and bridges in the expressway.
• Motorists can park at the Toll Service Facilities and Customer Service Centers. Motorists can park at emergency parking only for a brief period to check their vehicles or for emergency situations. Parking is not allowed in emergency lanes.
• Avoid reckless driving.
• Do not overstay in the Passing Lane or lanes meant for overtaking.
• For faster payment of toll fares, choose the Exact Toll (No Change) Booth, however, prepare for Exact Toll Fares to avoid queuing. You will not be provided with change if you give more than the exact face at Exact Toll Booths.
• Before the Holy Week, purchase an EC Tag, available at the NLEx Customer Service Centers in Balintawak, Valenzuela, Bocaue, San Fernando, and Dau for a more convenient and faster payment of toll fares.
• Ensure that your EC Tag unit is fully loaded when traveling during the Holy Week to avoid hassles. The Customer Service Centers are open on Holy Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 nn in Balintawak, Bocaue and San Fernando. All Customer Service Centers are closed on Good Friday and Black Saturday. They will resume operations from 8 a.m. to 12 nn in Balintawak and Bocaue only.
This breakfast garden café is absolutely the most idyllic alfresco wedding reception venue in Angeles City Clark Philippines. This wedding venue is exactly what Clark Freeport needs, a nice simple bistro café where one can get good quality breakfast and enjoy the food in peace at leisure pace.
Generally regarded as the best hotel in the North near Manila as well as the top beach resort in Clark, Clearwater maintains a consistent standard with respect to products and services. No wonder it is the most frequently visited place for wedding and outdoor receptions.
Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX from Manila to Clark is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.
For reservations, comments and inquiries,
www.philippinesweddingvenue.com
Philippines Wedding Venues Service Center
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
Email: Wedding@Yats-International.com
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com