Skyway, SLEx gear up for ‘Oplan Ligtas Kwaresma’

The Skyway O&M Corp. (Somco) and Manila Toll Expressway System Inc. (Mates), operators of the Skyway System and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), respectively, are gearing up for the rush of motorists starting Holy Wednesday, April 4, to Tuesday, April 10, with Oplan Ligtas na Kwaresma 2012.

The two companies are fielding additional traffic enforcers while the Automobile Association of the Philippines will position tow trucks along the tollway from Nichols Offsite to Calamba Interchange. A 50-tonner crane will also be on standby, while The Lifeline Rescue medical team will be ready for emergencies.

“Ligtas” stations will also be set up in the Nichols southbound (SB) direction, C-5 Offsite and Sucat northbound (NB) direction, operating from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on April 4; 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on April 5-8; and 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on April 9. They will offer drinking and radiator water, as well as latrine facilities, among others.

On SLEx, Mates will coordinate security arrangements with Shell, Petron, Caltex and Total service stations along SLEx from April 4 to 9.

Intensified patrol operations on the SB direction will start on April 4 from 2 p.m. until traffic normalizes; and on April 5, 6, 7 and 8 from 5 a.m. onward. To manage traffic and assist motorists returning to Manila on April 9 and 10, patrol operations on the NB direction will start at 6 a.m.

SB motorists are advised to expect queues at the toll plaza approaches of Carmona, Sta. Rosa, Calamba A and B, and Ayala Greenfield from April 4 to 8. On April 9 and 10, NB motorists may experience delays at the Ayala Greenfield, Calamba and Filinvest toll plazas.

To ask for assistance or report stalled vehicles or unusual incidents, motorists can call the Skyway System hotline at 776-7777, 0915-6256231, 0939-5006910, or the SLEx hotline at 0908-8807539.